El Tapatio

Just had the best chile Rellano ever. Great homemade chips. Amazing bean sauce and awesome burritos. Some of the best mexican food I’ve ever had, and I’m from LA.

Great find here on the central coast!!. You could tell from the moment the chips, salsa, and beans arrived at the table. They were amazing, and the food did not disappoint. Some of the best Al Pastor I’ve even had.
The customer service was also great. A very family owned and operated type restaurant with simply amazing food. A must try! I’ll travel from Santa Maria any day of the week for this!

Wonderful food, great service. Quite a delicious stop in Guadalupe. I had a wet chicken burrito the quality was right on point, if not a bit higher than the price! My boyfriend ate an enchilada and chile relleno, he said he enjoyed the meal very much. There was a traditional juke box with all Mexicana music. The juke had great tone and bass. It was a nice lunch time experience before hiking the osos flaco lake preserve out by the Guadalupe nippomo dunes.

Really tasty food. Everyone in our party ordered something different (pork tamales, Chilaquiles, chili relleno, carne asada con papas, and chicken tostada). And we all loved our meals. Good level of spice, very affordable, and big portions. Cannot wait to go back!

Our first time here. We’ve been on the hunt for delicious authentic Mexican food with the right flavor. I looked on Unilocal like all other times and were disappointed, until we tried El Tapatio. They started us off with fresh home made chips, pico de gallo and some yummy salsa. I got the Chile Relleno with rice and beans, a side order of soft tacos de Carnitas. Just like mama use to make. My son ordered the Shrimp cocktail, not sweet not too limey, pretty good it was. Hubby ordered a sope with Carnitas and 3 Tacos Dorados. Their Carnitas are a must try and the beans that come with the chips!
The service was welcoming and friendly. No spiffy spew just like walking into a friend’s house!

This place is truly a hidden gem. They have some of the best salsas I’ve ever had and they bring you a nice variety. The bean dip is also excellent. We stop in here every time we are in the area. It is very hard to find good Mexican food in this region of the central coast, but this places rivals the best Mexican food I’ve had in Los Angeles. Everything is fresh and full of flavor.
This time we ordered the asada torta, chicken tamales with the Mexican style sauce, and a taco dorado with shredded beef. The asada on the torta was flavorful and juicy with no gristle and the bread was light and soft and perfectly toasted for a nice light crunch. It was topped with grilled onions, avocado, tomatoes, and lettuce and the bread was spread with refried beans. The tamales were also delicious with lots of flavorful chicken throughout, warm soft masa, and topped with a fantastic green sauce and chunks of pork. The taco was also great with delicious beef and a freshly fried crunchy shell that was crispy and not at all oily.
We will definitely be back anytime we are in the area!

This is a native San Diegan saying this is one of the best Mexican meals I’ve ever had. The chile rellenos continue to be fantastic, but we also tried the garlic shrimp – OMG the best. They also make the best green salsa I’ve ever tasted. This is worth a detour to little Guadalupe.

Best Sopes I’ve ever had. So fresh. Beef Melanesia phenomenal. You have to try it when you are there. Everything made fresh and you can really tell the difference from other Mexican restaurants especially in our area (Anaheim, ca)

Best Mexican food ive ever had. Plus, they serve breakfast all day. The chips and bean dip (along with the home made salsas) that you get once seated are a meal in itself, all for free. Seriously, check this place out, its amazing.

Yes your going to wait a while if the place is full… but the food is WORTH WAITING FOR. Very tasty and full of life. I will make sure to make a stop in Guadalupe just to eat here again.

Oh El Tapatio, let me count the ways… some of THE BEST Mexican food ever have I ate and POSITIVELY THE BEST on the central coast. There is some Central American flavors going on there too and boy lemme tell ya, the heavens open, and Angels start to sing EVERY SINGLE TIME I place that deliciousness in my mouth!!! Not sure what abuelita – as I like to call her, does to that food but mmm mmm mmm. That’s all I have to say.

Really really good food I really like going there only once was I not satisfied with there food because they over salted.

First of all… the bean dip for the chips is so tasty. The green dip is also good, but the bean is to die for. Had a chili relleno, cheese enchilada and a shredded beef taco. Absolutely fantastic. The relleno was the best I’ve had in many years.
The kitchen appeared very clean. The family who owns the restaurant cooks and works there. Very authentic. Very enjoyable. I will definitely go back soon.

El tapatio has been in my top 5 favorite places to eat for a while. Anytime we have family or friends visit we take them there. We tell all of our friends about it too.
But today I had to take it from 5 stars to 4. It almost deserves a 3 but I will give the benefit of the doubt that just maybe it was an off day for them.
I called many times to make sure they were open but no one ever answered. So with a backup plan we just went. I mean it said on Unilocal their hours were 9am to 5:30 pm.
First we got there right before 2 and waited over 10 minutes for a table to be cleared.
Long story short we waited just over 2 hours for 2 meals. I know that it usually take a little longer due to a small kitchen and perfection can’t be rushed but today that was taken to a whole new level.
They usually have exceptional customer service and it just seemed like they didn’t care much today.
Oh and for future reference they close at like 3 on Sunday.

Mexican comfort food. Their sauces are unique and flavorful. Homemade corn tortillas are perfect as are the chiles rellenos!
It is a small kitchen, so be prepared to wait for your food when they’re busy

Incredible.
They use fresh ingredients.
Their prices are accommodating.
Their staff is friendly and personable.
I’ve been twice thus far. I’ve ordered their burrito and combination platters. Both were fantastic.
This is my favorite Central Coast Mexican restaurant.

Everything is excellent, every time we have been. I highly recommend the Chile Rellenos, cheese enchiladas or try the daily special. The daily special is always enjoyable. The place is small, but the staff are warm and welcoming. This place is well worth the trip to Guadalupe. Enjoy.

For a second time, the (red) pork riblets were (very) dry.
They served me ‘reused’ jalapeños left over at another table.
And the excuse they gave for why I was served commercial corn tortillas and not housemade, was that their tortilla press was broken. But as I was standing at the register, the mother had just plated their homemade tortillas…
Why, Eddie? Why? Why? Why?

Wow. Such a great lunch. Great «secret» green salsa, bean dip, and Pico before the meal. Chips awesome.
Yum — that is all I can say!

«Laid back in an old saloon, with a peso in my hand»
Thanks for keeping el vieja escuela sabor vivo!!!
My bad missing out all the years of passing thru.