The back patio is a HIDDEN GEM! I almost hate to share for fear of competition. Beautiful drinks. Delicious food. Generous portions. Heart-warming birria. Underrated staff. Great happy hour. Unassuming exterior - the inside is amazing - hence hidden gem. My only complaint is the music inside - way too loud, way too annoying. But the back patio is perfect. read more

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Lucky me, I came here with a friend during Restaurant Week who was into splitting plates, so we were able to sample a variety of food and drinks. For appetizers we chose Elote corn and Queso Fondido. The corn was outstanding. I expected the cheese to be more textured with bits of chorizo, but instead it was creamy, almost béchamel-like, and maybe the chorizo was just in the spicy accompanying sauce? I wasn't a huge fan but my friend was. Then came the entrees. Wow! Beef short rib was the highlight of the meal for me, melt-in-your-mouth tender and served with a super tasty sauce and some greens to lighten the dish. Puerto adobado was an enormous pork shank served with rice, beans, and pickled vegetables, also very tasty. Portions were generous. My friend and I both had to get to-go boxes for our leftovers. We tried the two desserts offered: churros and a cheesecake with berry sauce. I'm generally not a cheesecake fan, but warmed up to this one because of its light texture, almost soufflé-like, and the super-flavorful berry sauce. Churros were hot and crispy, accompanied by hot drinking chocolate for dipping, and more thick, creamy dulce de leche than we could possibly eat. I'm not a big drinker, so I appreciated that they have a fun selection of non-alcoholic cocktails. I had one that came rimmed with Tajin and containing a pineapple popsicle that melted and became part of the drink. Fruity, fun, a little spicy, and moderately priced. Besides the delicious food--at reasonable prices, especially considering the size of the portions, we were impressed by the friendly, helpful staff. The atmosphere is light and pleasant with plenty of windows, interesting art, and comfy seating. You'd have to think hard to picture the space in its original form as a Hardee's...but then again, the owners built their reputation for great food starting in a gas station. The restaurant is easy to get to, with ample parking. read more

Easy parking, friendly service, nice ambiance. The drinks are crafted with great care and are delicious! Food also comes out with such beautiful presentation. We enjoyed the salsa platter, very fun to try so many flavors! Next time we will stick to the 3-salsa option and go with the arbol, verde and pico. Those had the most familiar flavors and were the 'addicting' ones: nice kick to the arbol and verde. Chips were great! We also enjoyed the ceviche. The 3 tacos we tried were the ribeye (interesting flavor, we wouldn't get it again but it was nice to try, very unique), the duck (so tender, could really taste the mole), and the marinated pork which was hands down our favorite. Inside is a bit too intimate for me to say family friendly, if you have younger kids they might be a bit of a distraction but they do have changing station in the women's (I didn't use the men's so unsure!) however, younger kids might be more comfortable on the patio. Great for casual date, business meeting or grabbing a bite with friends. read more

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So was very excited to try and still planning on coming back for the suckling pig at some point. Overall this experience was just ok. There were some highs and some lows where I was not impressed. The decor was lovely and fun. I really loved the ambiance and our server was absolutely wonderful and very attentive to us and our hungry hockey player son. The food was just ok for the most part and I was really excited to try this place. I'll give it another go soon as maybe it was just what we ordered. read more

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Tasty, crafty drinks. Delicious food and friendly staff. Nice decor. Plenty of off street parking. read more

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Absolutely amazing!! I read the reviews before hand and I was expecting a good meal but I didn't not expect an exceptional meal!! First they bring out a complementary tasting plate with mostly locally sourced foods and it was delicious! The salsa on this plate that I think had pumpkin in it was outstanding! Our waiter was very helpful with suggesting foods and drinks as it was our first time there. The bar wall was very cool and overall the decor felt inviting. We each did the tasting menu and honestly I think these were full size portions or slightly smaller as I got stuffed! Truly was so impressed by all the flavors and quality! I am usually not a dessert girl but I tried the apple dessert and it blew my socks off! Haven't had something like that before and I haven't stopped thinking about it! Only slightly negative thing I have to say is service felt a little slow however they were busy and I don't mind slow service just something to be aware of. I will be back when I'm back out in that area! read more

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Ok what an amazing surprise! The space was great bright and beautiful staff! These mussels were by far some of the best I have had in MN. So flavorful, so meaty, cooked to perfection!! Thank you do being 10mins from my house! And the Happy Hour is unreal!! We will most definitely be back again and again!! read more

Xelas by El Sazon - Mussels - Latin American Near Me - Stillwater, Minnesota

This was my first time trying Mayan cuisine and I'm now in love. My sister and I went for dinner and shared an app and two dishes and it was plenty of food. Queso Fondue: Poblano cheese fondue with sautéed mushrooms, served with sourdough bread and tostadas Tamal de Bison: Tamal filled with bison meat, topped with recado negro made from chrimol and bison broth and fresh herbs Tlacoyo de Chicarron: Oval-shaped masa cake filled with chicharron prensado, seasoned with ranchera salsa and topped with crema, avocado salsa, and fresh herbs My favorite was the Tlacoya de Chicarron which is a corn cake with pressed pork belly. But the tamale and queso were also delicious. I do wish the queso fondue had 1-2 more tostados, but I'm sure if we would have asked we could have gotten more to finish up the dip. Hours are a little different so I suggest checking ahead of time or making a reservation. Inside was an upscale casual vibe. read more

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After hearing good things, we decided to check this place out and I'm so glad we did! The service and food were both very good. And the cocktails were the best part of all. Really fun, creative and well done you need to check this place out! read more

Xelas was popping on a Saturday night. Luckily, my sister-in-law got us reservations. We were seated in a corner booth which gave us a great view of the restaurant. Our server was very friendly and welcoming. I do think they're a little understaffed as I only saw one bartender for about 80 seats. Even if the drinks were slow they were really good. I got a Sik Pak, which is a Mayan riff on a Mai tai. I really liked it. My husband got the NA tamarind mocktail and loved it. It was tangy and not too sweet. The food was delicious and well priced for the quality. I think my favorite dish of the night was the mole negro. A sweet plantain smothered in a rich and complex mole sauce. I would come back just for that. Everybody in our group really liked their entrees. The pollo my husband got was moist and flavorful. My pescado pachay was a delicate sea bass steamed in a banana leaf. The flavors were perfectly balanced and whatever puree came with it was delicious and complimented the fish. My brother-in-law got the cochinita pibil, which was a huge portion and could easily be split between two people if you got a couple smaller plates. My sister-in-law really liked her hilachas. The meat was tender and the sauce was deep and tangy. The only disappointment was the desserts. We got one of each and none of them were worth ordering again. They were very bland. If anything, I would save the mole negro for dessert. Our entire dinner for 4 people came to $265, which is crazy when you consider that included 4 alcoholic beverages, several small plates, 4 entrees, and 3 desserts. read more

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Guatemalan & Mayan cuisine YES PLEASE!! Delicious! I was fortunate to enjoy a fantastic meal at this new restaurant. We did not have a reservation & we were tight on time but we settled into seats at the bar and were able to savor every bite! Aesthetically the space is uncluttered and neutral with a few vibrant murals showcasing Quetzals The lead bartender Daniel is both knowledgeable & personable he gave great recommendations for cocktails. Wine & food. The owners visited with us and remembered my husband had been in on another evening. They have successfully created a warm & welcoming experience. Beverages: water was kept full which is important to me. The Ole Verde was unique & delicious and the wine a perfect pairing for my husband's entree. Food: Mole Negro, Tlacayo(mushroom & masa dish) Pescado Hilachas Guineo & Cacao A solid five star experience! Looking forward to returning soon to enjoy additional creations! read more

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I was glad to see a spin on the usual Latin American cuisine. There was sweet Plantains, Mole sauce on the chicken and delicious Tomatios in a soup. I was grateful to eat high class Latin food! It was incredibly delicious:) read more

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We enjoyed our time dining here - each dish was delicious and flavorful and the cocktails were amazing! Our server was great and very attentive as well. Additionally, the bartender was just amazing in mixing up a special birthday cocktail for the birthday girl and even personally brought it over to her. She enjoyed it so much she ordered a second one! Why the 4 stars?: The only complaint was the tres leche cake. It was as though a dense and dry cake was baked and dipped into a milky mix to try and moisten it, however, it was NOT it. It crumbled upon forking out a bite and it lacked flavor, moisture, and that creamy, dreamy texture in which a tree leche cake is supposed to have. read more

Xelas by El Sazon - The dry, dense and crumbly tres leche cake. It was nothing like it, unfortunately. The only 'bad' thing while dining here. - Latin American Near Me - Stillwater, Minnesota

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My was the Guatemalan Sausage! SOOOO GOOD! Staff was very friendly and helpful! The food was very good, but I felt it was over priced. I really enjoyed my meal, but I was less enthused when I compared what I paid here versus other restaurants of similar $$$. Also, I'm unfamiliar with Mayan cuisine as it relates to Mexican... but I expected a lot more spice. There wasn't any spice for any of my dishes. Otherwise, the salsa and guacamole were very good. We paid $42/person with zero drinks (20% tip included). If it was $25-$30/person, I'd be back here often. read more

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Xelas provides a unique perspective on Mexican cuisine compared to other restaurants in the two cities. The highlights for us were the mole negro and pescado pachay - both were complex and beautifully flavored. The cocktail menu was also interesting and both of our drinks we very well done. We were a bit disappointed by the tlayuda from the masa section of the menu - well the flavor was good, the texture of the masa made it nearly impossible to chew. The restaurant itself is in an unassuming building off of a frontage road, but the murals and bar transform the interior into an interesting and vibrant space. It was busy on a Friday night and a bit challenging to hear each other - the space is pretty open so sounds seem to get amplified. Service was a bit slow, but friendly. read more

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This restaurant is so pretty, they have the white walls and wood fans, made it feel like I was back in Mexico resort. The food was delicious too, fancy and placed neatly. Our server was very helpful in helping out to decide what to order on the menu. He gave us a choice of desserts since we were there to celebrate our birthdays. Right off highway 36, definitely recommend if you're in the area. read more

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My husband and I went here for Easter Brunch. The food was delicious. The food was flavorful and delicious. It did not disappoint. The meats were juicy. For their Easter Brunch, they had a variety of food available. At the time, they were quite busy, but the staff is nice and checked in. It is a casual dining experience. I would definitely come back for a non-buffet dinner. read more

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I will start out with a negative. This place is very expensive. My sister and I came here and we got three appetizers and one drink a piece. The final bill was over $80. Well the portion sizes are not small, and the flavors are great, with a price point, makes it less accessible and more of a special occasion type of location. Which is, unfortunate, since the dishes in the food are really exquisite. Unique presentation, unique flavors, and menu items that you would not see in other restaurants in Minneapolis St. Paul. Or very infrequently even nationally! read more

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My only fear for this great new place is that the next time I want to go, I might not be able to get in! They really transformed this location. Murals, good background music, great bar setup. We started with some of the cocktails off of the menu. I'd had their remake of the Old Fashioned which uses some aged rum... so good. My wife had the mojito which was fantastic. For starters we had the Mexican sausage and the Sikil Pac (a dip). Both were so good! I had the Cochinita Pibil (braised pork shank) as my main course ... amazing. My wife had the Sopr de Pato (duck confit on a thick corn shell) and my mouth is watering again just writing this. Fabulous. Daniel, our bartender and server was awesome. Really helped us understand the drinks and the food menu. This place is so good. Can't wait to go back. Tomorrow? So fun to have such a good new place open up. read more

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They do have parking which is great! The inside is absolutely beautiful and I love the vibes overall. Staff are extremely friendly and helpful. The chef makes some amazing dishes using traditions from Guatemalan & Mexican heritage. Everything was FANTASTIC! The drinks were definitely a hit. I enjoyed some of the best n/a beverages I've ever had while dining here. This is a must visit spot in Stillwater! Looking forward to visiting again! read more

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Arrived at 4. I like how they didn't freeze you to death with AC and just opened the door. Friendly helpful service. I love how the bathrooms are right as you walk in. We loved the guacamole, though pork belly is totally unnecessary. I'll order without next time. We both got the risotto cause we aren't eating meat for a couple of weeks. It was delicious and loaded with tiny bits of various seafood. My favorite was the calamari. We were seriously eyeing the meat items and can't wait to get them next time. Washed everything down with grapefruit and fruit punch bottles of ice cold Jarritos. Very nice decor. read more

Wow! Wow! Opening night at Xelas was absolutely amazing. I am thrilled that I was able to chat with Karen and the team about each dish that was brought to our table and welcome them to Stillwater. The chefs, bartenders, and servers were all so kind and happy to be there. Each dish is carefully crafted and beautifully plated, I almost don't even want to eat! But trying the food is the next best thing about it! Every bite is full of flavor and happiness. I am so excited to visit them now that I have a location minutes from my home. Please go try their delicious menu. You will not be disappointed! read more

Xelas by El Sazon - Latin American Near Me - Stillwater, Minnesota

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Went to dinner with friends, and made a reservation originally for 7 pm for 7 people, our party ended up being downsized to 5, called ahead to let them know the party size was going to change and they were great about accommodating the change. We wanted to wait at least 2 weeks after opening to check this place out just to let them get into the swing of service and I think it was the best call, they have a strong sense of their menu and it seemed to be popping off when we arrived and people showing up around 8 pm for dinner. When we got there our server was great at letting us settle in and giving us time to look over the menu when deciding what we all wanted to share, when we asked for recommendations she tried to give us a rough idea about what was going to be enough for all of us to share. The restaurant's vibe seemed to hone down on the culture by adding the artwork and having a section of the restaurant with a bigger table seem like an art gallery. The murals on the outside and inside entrance are great additions to adding color to the restaurant. Especially with the clean white and beige aesthetic of the interior. Liked their lighting, it's the right amount of bright to be able to see everyone around you and read the menu, especially with most restaurants deciding to do dimmer lights around dinner time. Waiting time for drinks did take longer than 10-15 minutes but the server was attentive, they also seem to only have one bartender for the whole restaurant and bar area at the time of us being there. 3/5 cocktails were served at the table, while we waited for two cafe con ron to be made. They don't seem to have their cocktails batched so it made sense that they were taking their time. Overall we all arrived at 7 pm and ended up leaving at 9 pm. We asked our server if the kitchen was okay with preparing a dessert to go, 5 minutes before closing and they did say yes BUT WE HAD ALREADY had dinner and our dessert, we would have been more than okay if the kitchen had said no but they were nice enough to do it. We appreciated our server, she never seemed to rush us out or made us feel like we were taking too long or bothering her. We felt super comfortable knowing that their staff is Latinx. They also tried to help my friends with the pronunciation of the dishes when ordering. All our food was shared amongst 5 people -- For drinks (COCKTAILS DE LA CASA & ZERO ABV FUSIONS) we got: Oro Verde (Not Pictured), Margarita Maya (Not Pictured), Jade Mojito (Not Pictured), and Cafe con Ron. NA's-- Tamarind Punch, Guava Fizz (Not Pictured), and Cariño (Not Pictured). PERSONAL FAVORITE: Cafe con Ron cocktail, on the sweeter side compared to the traditional espresso martini, and the Carińo NA cocktail For appetizers (FLAVORS TO BEGIN) we got: the Ceviche, the Guacamol, and the Guatemalan Sausage PERSONAL FAVORITE: the Guatemalan Sausage For entrees (PLATO FUERTE) we got: the Cochinita Pibil, Hilachas, and Calabaza (pumpkin), PERSONAL FAVORITE: the Calabaza Additional Dish (BEYOND MAYAN) we got: a Tlacoyo For dessert (POSTRES) we got: Papaya & Vainilla and Guineo & Cacao - TOGO/Not pictured My friends and I enjoyed all the art on the walls and the dishes. A nice addition of food and culture to Stillwater, would want to go back to try more of their dishes, we hope to see their cocktail and bar program grow a little more but these are some really strong drinks to start! Can't wait to see what other dishes they might add to their menu come spring and summer time. We hope to continue seeing them flourish and we will be back. read more

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It's a beautiful place. Fun little restaurant. The food was good; speedy and the portions are extremely small. Service was excellent! read more

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We had the suckling pig feast, amazing! Delicious meal, amazing kind staff, thank you! It was a fun experience. Will return to try the regular menu! read more

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I've been looking to try Xelas for a while. The food was outstanding. I had the short rib, and my wife had the duck. A must try. We will be back! read more

The ambiance is really light and fun and the waitstaff was so friendly and helpful, but best of all was the food. We got the quesabirria and breakfast burrito and they were phenomenal. Cornbread was yummy as well. Baby friendly as well. read more

The omikase taco dining experience is phenomenal. Eight courses progressing through different flavors. Optional cocktail pairings were delightful. It's not cheap, but it was worth it. The chef and team were so attentive and provided the backstory for each dish. Everything was delicious, and we left full and satisfied. Recommend! read more

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Sooooooo good!!! Everything was 10/10! From the moment we stepped through the doors, this Mayan restaurant transported us straight into the heart of the Yucatán. The atmosphere was warm, vibrant, and full of character -- the faint scent of roasted corn and spices drifting from the kitchen. Every bite told a story. The flavors were deep and soulful, balancing smoke, spice, and citrus in perfect harmony. Bright, comforting, and refreshingly simple -- proof that restraint in seasoning can be its own art form. read more

The food and the service was great! The outside of the building is a little deterring with the tinted windows that make the restaurant look like it's vacant. We enjoyed some delicious mocktails, 2 appetizers, and 2 entrees. The pork shank was delicious, tender and moist. The shortrib tasted great as well, but was a little dry. I would highly recommend the yucca appetizer. We will definitely be back again read more

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The food is AMAZING! I loved all the flavor combinations! And the cocktails were fabulous!

The food and service were fantastic. 1st time customer. Definitely plan to return. Best mole!

What an amazing meal. We just went here for the first time and finally we found incredible Mexican/mayan food in the twin cities. Everything is amazing here especially the guacamol. This place is so good. read more

We love El Sazon and have been excited about Xelas opening here in Stillwater. We went for dinner on their second official night. The restaurant was full but service and pacing was spot on. I would not have guessed they just opened if I didn't know. Everyone was very gracious and seemed genuinely happy to host us. The food was outstanding and definitely something different for the area. We had an app, the cochinita (pork shank) and a couple of the small plates, as well as two desserts. Everything was fantastic. The guac was more filling than most with the chicharones providing some protein. Both desserts were great with the elote being especially unique. The cocktails and mocktails also were impressive. It's clear a lot of thought was put into them. Overall, we are happy to have Xelas in Stillwater and highly recommend. read more

Such an incredible restaurant. Did the chefs table and had a phenomenal experience but the regular menu and food looked amazing as well. New favorite restaurant. Outstanding service and a lovely ambiance inside. read more

Absolutely fantastic. The food was healthy, fresh and full of flavor. We did the prix fixe menu option- one appetizer (primero), entree (segundo) & dessert ( tercero). Excellent value. read more

Food is awesome, burria de borrego excellent as was the esquites. Service was great, very helpful suggestions. Highly recommend this restaurant! read more

Incredible food. Went with a large group and everything we ordered was delicious. The service was excellent and the vibe is great. Cannot recommend highly enough read more

OmG !!!!!! Absolutely one of the best in this part of Minnesota. Ahhhhmazing !!!! Food = Love !!!! read more

We enjoyed Xelas on opening weekend. The renovation of the restaurant interior was well done, but could use something to block the draft from the front door. The old fashioned was smooth and delicious. Well stocked bar. We enjoyed the Guacomol appetizer, Chochinita, Pepian de Pollo, two small plates, and two desserts for our party of three. The food was aromatic and well presented. The staff was attentive and well versed about the dishes. On the pricier side, but worth the cost. Definitely make a reservation. read more

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