El Chico Cafe

01/24/07

El Cheapo's is what it should be called!

by chevychic71 at Citysearch

This has got to be the worst place I have eaten out in, in all of Nashville. McDonalds would have been better! The drinks were supossed to be 2 for 1 on the Margarita's, but the waitress failed to tell us that, so we ordered high priced drinks that tasted slightly better than fruit juice, NO alcohol in them. Then when we did order the margarita's, she told us they were $4.09 for 2, the bill came, they were $5.29, she said I forgot to tell you there was an extra charge for a flavored one, are you kidding me? The food was warm at best, small quantities, had to keep asking for everything, the waitress was like having a 5 year old serve you. El Chico's should be called El Cheapo's..if you want good Mexican food, at a terrific price, try Cinco De Mayo, even the service there was incredible! El Chico's I am sorry to say stinks. I wouldn't eat there if it was the last place on Earth!

• Pros: The parking lot was roomy!
• Cons: Everything from the service, to the quantity of food, to the atmosphere!

Serving up heaping portions of Mexican favorites since 1940.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
This Southern chain serves Tex-Mex and Mexican staples to large groups and families who come to gab over unlimited chips and hearty food staples. The Southwestern decor features bright colored walls and thick terracotta-tiled floors. Classic El Chico combinations, around since the company started in 1940, heap tamales, cheese enchiladas and refried beans on one plate. Tex-Mex items represent tastes for fajitas, soft tacos and enchiladas verde.

03/26/08

James Westborn's Review

by JamesWestbornBlair at Citysearch

James Westborn's Review:

My family and I just bought a place in Cross Plains, Tenn. We are 30 miles North of this resturant. Coming from Southern California, we have had authentic Mexican food and some of the best is in Ca. My wife first visited this place and said I should try it, so we went. It was OK. Nothing to jump up and down about. Every Mexican place in Tenn. seems to have salsa out of a can. Ask your mexican cooks to make their own. Most will far out-do the canned stuff. The decor on this place was better than most places, so that was nice. Most Tenn. Mex places just have arches painted on the glass windows, as if that makes it offically Latino or something.

I have decided to check restrooms in all the resturants I go to. These were far above board. Clean throughout. On the way back to my table I noticed two tables that still had all the debris and dishes on them. They are a little slow cleaning the tables.

I had shrimp tacos and they were only fair...old shrimp.

My daughter had steak tacos and her's were good.

I also had a three tamale dish, with some sauce that tasted like it was out of a can.

My wife likes it but I guess I'm just spoiled from the real thing in Ca.

It is refreshing to NOW live in a state (TENN.) that is balanced and that far out weighs the fact, that the Mexican food here is average.

El Chico's is average.

The waiter was great!

• Pros: Decor, restrooms, waiters
• Cons: Salsa, sauces, and shrimp