El Tapatio

My husband and I were new to the area last year. When you move you have to find all new stuff (dentist, grocery store, etc). We tried this place and now we never go anywhere else. They are so great! The food has never been bad. In fact, its never been below awesome!

I eat here at least once a week. Usually more. Spend the additional money for the Cadillac margarita. Everything on the menu is good and authentic but it’s the staff that makes this place so great! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT.

Nothing fancy, I have had better! To be fair, I have only tried the tacos maybe other food is better, margaritas are good.
The shrimp taco was salty to me!
We stopped by here after paying some bills all day and I wanted to try a local independent restaurant, and I was hoping this would be pretty good, well better than pretty good, was hoping for super.
It may have been just the food that I ordered the tacos were fair to OK, perhaps, I have no idea what real Mexican food is, but this was not as good as others I have had, that said they were real Mexican food, go figure?
Well on Monday and Tuesday you can get the chicken and beef taco for $ 1.00 each, however, I try the shrimp tacos as well. Which as I stated were to salty to my liking!
The food wasn’t really overwhelmingly great perhaps if I lived close to the restaurant I could probably be a regular, but would be looking for better!
I have to be fair in that I only had the tacos and if I get a chance to explore the menu for other options and taste, they may have better dishes with the premium food however, for right now they are probably about average, I would rate them 2 out of 5 stars.
But with me not tasting other foods on the menu and them having good customer service, i am going to give them 3 out of 5 stars.
When you come in and they seat you, they bring out some chips and salsa and take your drink order they have margaritas on sale for $ 2.99 the small or regular size. Those are pretty good.
I have had better Mexican food and to really get a higher ranking with me you have to have a little bit better food compared to where I have eaten at with the same cuisine. Like I said three stares, average for me.
If I have the opportunity to try other dishes maybe one of the premium dishes I may feel totally different.

Good casual Mexican restaurant. Friendly people and a good atmosphere. I got a burrito and was stuffed afterwards. Will definitely be coming back!

We had a take out order, just to try out this place. The food was just alright, the server who helped me out was very nice, he even packed up a big bag of tortilla chips and salsa to take home with my orders. I would definitely come back again and try eating in instead.

One of the few Mexican restaurants that reminds me of being back in Texas that is not located on Cherokee Street.

The food is average, decently priced Mexican food. There are cheap drink specials on certain days of the week.
The recent for my low rating is the service, which might be partially my fault. I probably shouldn’t have tried to customize an order at a Mexican restaurant. My server seemed like he spoke English well enough to understand though. He ended up bringing more food than I ordered. I told him that I did not order that much food and I didn’t want to be charged for it. I said I would eat it only if I wasn’t billed for the additional food because it wasn’t what I ordered. He smiled and walked away. He was nice, but he would disappear for long periods of time even though the restaurant was almost empty around 9:00 p.m.
The server came back with the check. Sure enough, I was billed for the extra food that I didn’t order. I explained that I already told him I didn’t want to be billed for additional food that I didn’t order. He said that he couldn’t do anything about the check, but he would give me a discount next time.
You and I both know I wouldn’t be getting a discount next time. There will be no next time because I’m not going back to this restaurant.

It took us awhile to find a good local Mexican restaurant but we have now settled on this place. My favorite dish is pollo Feliz but have also had fajitas which are delicious. Prices are low and service is top notch. We will continue to frequent this place.

I decided to try El Tapatio on a recent Monday. When I got there, the parking lot was full and the place was packed. Servers were energetically delivering plates of hot delicious looking food. I had enchiladas and fajitas. Unfortunately, they brought me beef instead of chicken, but it was quite tasty. The fajita meat was a little overcooked but the vegetables were luscious. I will go back on a Monday or Tuesday for $ 1.99 lime margaritas!

Popular Clifton Heights/​Lindenwood Park area Mexican restaurant. Very Americanized menu, but they do have a small selection of authentic off menu specials. I got the el pastor (3 soft pork tacos) for $ 7.99. HUGE and yummy! Great deal too. They have tortas and piña rellena off menu specials, as well.

This is the most authentic Mexican food I’ve had in STL outside of Cherokee Street. The food is good, prices are reasonable, waiters are attentive. I can’t help but notice that most of the negative reviews are critical of the not-​so-​authentic food options… The décor could use a little work and the menu is a bit scattered considering there’s a sign near the entrance with items not on their actual menu. But I have no complaints about their food whatsoever. I’ve been back multiple times and will continue to return.

Great food and good prices. Nice service too. Great place to have lunch or dinner. Eat here once and you will be hooked

I really liked this place and been back a few times. They really try hard for your approval. The chips taste home made and the salsa is fantastic!!! They really cater to you too. Mondays and Tuesdays 1.00 beef or chicken tacos, hard or soft, and 1.99 margaritas…

I love the margaritas, the tacos, and the quick way they bring you shots of tequila! Chunky guacamole is great. TVs if you wanna watch your sports.
Bottom line. If you just want to drink margs and eat tacos or chips n salsa then this is your place. The server we’ve had a couple times needed a translator. Someone else came with them the 3^rd time because she didn’t understand us. The steak was frozen and then Cooked and served… they asked how you want it cooked but it always comes out with a leather texture and well done.
I give 3 stars because I know they aren’t doing well and I want any and every small business in south city to do well. They can’t afford to buy fresh meat and veggies.

Not sure I was at the same El Tapatio as some of these reviewers who loved it. I have been there twice, and decided I would never return. I just plain don’t like the food.
Our waiter was a little scarce at times, until and my husband and son starting ordering tequila shots. Then he was quick with the shots! In their favor, I will mention that it was my son’s birthday and they didn’t charge for several shots.
I finally liked the sopapillas, which were the most like the authentic ones I used to have in Colorado Springs. I found the ice cream unnecessary and would have just like twice as many sopapillas. Of course, I was still hungry, because I didn’t enjoy my dinner. I don’t remember what they called it, but it was two thin thin slabs of the driest, toughest, most overdone steak I have ever had.
They do have great take-​home containers, which you can wash in the dishwasher and use again.

The food is superior authentic Mexican and fresh. They have $ 1 beef or chicken taco specials on Monday and Tuesday in addition to $ 1.99 lime margaritas on those days. The portions are great sizes, too.
The staff are all friendly and attentive.
The restaurant is generally quiet even when busy. You hear a little chatter here and there, but you can also hear the conversations at your own table.

I passed by this place on 13 April so after I was done with my errand I swung by to check it out. I’m Mexican (and Puerto Rican) and am fairly critical of Mexican restaurants, having grown up on the stuff.
The Chips and Salsa were very good. The chops weren’t flimsy, the had some thickness to them and held the salsa well and the left over main course as well. I ordered the Chili Verde (one of my 2 or 3 «go to» Mexican dishes) The pork was shredded not chunked… i like it that way. The verde sauce was thick and had a great spice to it, very noticeable… the way I like it. The beans were salted just right and the rice was no too salty, not to tomato-​y. The bits of veggies in the rice screamed of Puerto Rican rice, which I like and grew up on It was a very filling meal and I enjoyed every last bite. I used the last of the chips to finish off the chili verde.
I will put this in my regular rotation (along w/​Chimichangas, Amigo Joes, Chimi’s Fresh Mex, and Mi Ranchito). This place was very good, take it from a true Mexican who grew up on Sonoran and Tex Mex Mexican… this place is legit.

This is my first ever ONE star review. My husband and I live in the St. Louis Hills area and REALLY wanted to love this place. It’s obviously super close to our house and the food is cheaper than Pueblo Solis. We went right when the place opened and LOVED it. The service was great, portions were huge and the food was excellent.
Since our first visit, we’ve been back twice – both times inviting groups of friends to join. Our last two experiences were down right embarrassing to the point we had to apologize to our friends for choosing such a bad restaurant.
I’ll start with the service. Wow! It’s bad! I think we had to go look for our waiter three times during each meal (and we are super low maintenance). Our drinks were forgotten both times, food was incredibly delayed, food order was wrong, no refills, etc. I don’t think they have enough English speaking workers. Our server appeared to be the translator for the check out counter and the only person attending tables.
The food is incredibly inconsistent. I ordered the same thing all three times and each time it came out differently.
This place has potential but needs to get their act together quickly! I’ve seen fewer and fewer cars in the parking lot over the past month an a half. Not a good sign!

A solid three stars! Unfortunately, El Tapatio has several other Mexican restaurants within blocks to contend with. After two visits, I decided I like a few of them slightly better than El Tapatio.
Here’s what I like about El Tapatio:
— Speedy and attentive service on each visit.
— Their menu has all of the items you expect, but a lot of different items that you don’t see similar Mexican restaurants, if you want to try something new.
— They are using high-​quality ingredients (menu lists Land ‘O Lakes brand dairy items).
–The shredded meats are very flavorful.
— Prices are comparable to similar restaurants.
Things I don’t like:
— Their salsa is very runny and the chips are not fresh.
— The decorations make you feel like you are at a grade school Mexican fiesta (someone clearly maxed out their Party City card)
— The booths are too close together and make you feel cramped.
— Ground beef is not as flavorful as other places and no plain nachos on the menu (I like to get bean and cheese nachos for an appetizer — there’s nothing like that here — only supreme/​entrée-​style nachos on the menu)
This place is smack dab in my neighborhood, so I’m sure I’ll be back often to try some of their other unique menu offerings. Give them a try and see what you think.

When I saw a new Mexican restaurant was opening in my neighborhood, I moaned and groaned. We already had three within walking distance of my house and none of them impressed me. That is until now. Today El Tapatio opened and they impressed me from the salsa to the flan. They are a welcome addition to my hood and the other Mexican restaurants should be concerned that there is a new Amigo in town.
I started out with a Margarita. It was okay, typical mix type Margarita that you find at most Mexican restaurants of this price point. I wasn’t expecting a made to order, hand shaken one. I knew it was a mix. It still was a nice beverage to sip while munching on warm chips dipped in a spicy chunky salsa.
The BF ordered the Burritos Tipicos and gave both burritos a thumbs up. One was a beef and bean and the other chicken and bean. Both were smothered in cheese sauce and topped with lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole and their special red sauce. I got to sample each and they were very good and we both were impressed with the pico de gallo.
So I could experience a little more then one thing, I ordered a Create Your Own Platter. I choose three items; Soft Shredded Chicken Taco, Beef Tips Burrito and a Pork Tamale. They were served with Mexican Rice and re-​fried beans. I was impressed on all items.
Soft Taco — Filled with well seasoned white chicken meat, shredded lettuce and cheese sauce. The soft tortilla was perfect, not over chewy as I’ve found at other local restaurants.
Burrito — Beef tips were tender and topped with just enough red sauce for an added flavor booster.
Tamale — Best I have had in St. Louis. These Tamale put those down on Cherokee to shame.
Mexican Rice — Moist, mixed with a few corn kernels and just lightly seasoned.
Beans — So good with the chips that we had left in the basket.
Dessert — Best Flan I have had in the city. Hopefully they’ll stop putting the whipped cream and sprinkles on top, because it is so good, you do not need that distraction.
Service on their first day was okay. They were attentive as they filled up fast. It is amazing how fast word spread that the open sign had finally been turned on. We meet Alex the owner and chatted with a couple of the servers, I think this will be a popular new restaurant in my hood and am glad it is close enough for me to walk.