El Charro Mexican Restaurant

04/07/08

What happened??

by junglered

This used to be a favorite of mine.

NOT ANYMORE! I think something was changed in the way the food is prepared...it just dosen't taste the same. The crunchy taco shells have a funny taste now. The chips seem too thin and have a smell, like preservatives or something. I used to take all my out of town friends here in the past. I honestly cannot recommend it now. I actually drive over to Shelby Twp. now, or head down to Mexicantown for better tasting food.

• Cons: Food has changed for the worse

03/19/08

Love those shells!! Unique!

by Chrisandmom

I love the soft shells...can't get anything like them anywhere else I have been. The margarita swirl is awesome. I prefer the Fraser location, every time I go to the St Clair Shores location they screw up my order or don't give me utensils or something like that! Of course, like everything the price is going up and the portions size down. And I agree with the other comment that the "nachos" that come with a dinner are a joke. 4 chips with a sprinkle of cheese? Nachos? Not.

• Pros: Unique soft shells.
• Cons: Tiny little "nachos" that come with dinner.

05/02/07

Simply the best mexican

by joanimal

The food is great, prices reasonable and nice atmosphere - of course it's busy! I don't care for the soft shell tacos, but I'm the only one I know who doesn't.

• Pros: Food, price, atmosphere
• Cons: Busy on weekends

12/30/06

Lousy Mexican Food.

by chunkychef

Friends are always dragging me to this place, and I can't take it any more!! I just don't get it. What's the big draw. You can get better Mexican food than this just about anywhere!! The food is substandard, the sauce is watery, the soft tacos that everyone crave are doughy. The quesadillas and enchiladas are packed with gooey, flavorless cheese. And what's with the those four chips that are glued to the plate that they so generously offer to you as Nachos. Nasty. I really need to drink to get any enjoyment from this place. You truely can do better in metro Detroit. Please don't waste your time here.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Everything

11/15/06

no warm chips..

by bobadiag

i'm from California where they have REAL MEXICAN food and i guess it doesn't get much better than this out here in detroit.. Unfortunately , go to CAL and see how to make REAL mexican food.. their chips are NOT warm the way they SHOULD BE .. if you cant even warm chips ... jjjeeeezzzz???

• Pros: its about as good as it gets..??
• Cons: its detroit.

11/03/06

Once great - now just average

by reverendelvis

I've been eating here since the late 70's and it was great. The last couple years have been a disapointment. I used to go every Sunday, now I go maybe once every 6 months! The beef is usually so salty we can barely eat it, the salads are half what they used to be. They used to give you the salsa in a 16 oz. squeeze bottle, now they give a couple tiny cups and give you a hard time if want more. Prices went up, sizes went way down. Pretty soon they will be able to put the combination meal on 1 plate. I now prefer El Sombrero on 13 mile in Warren. What a shame, I guess greed took over.

• Pros: Easier to get in now, lines are shorter, less people
• Cons: Taste has gone way down, No longer a good value for the money

08/20/06

Worse Mexican , Avoid

by jim63

Went there on Aug 20 at 5:30 pm , no trouble getting a seat, but food was Awful, chips were stale, salad was waterloged and the one drink I ordered could knock out a horse!

• Pros: good seats
• Cons: bad food

07/09/06

Best Mexican fare in the whole Dtroit area, and farther!!

by yuma_pancho

Bland? You had two too many Sangrias.!!! This is without a doubt the best place Ive had Mexican fare in the U.S. and and most of Mexico. Of course we all like what we get used too, and I have been going there a long time. Since Dee got involved after Connie sold it.( 1972 )i The soft shell tacos are often imitated but no one has ever been able to get that taste and texture just right. Great portions, the best in the business. Best value for the buck and great service too. Gonna go get me a Taco fix right now!!!

05/30/06

Fresh Mexican fare, fast and friendly service and great margaritas north of the border.

by Contributor

In Short
For a large restaurant, El Charro remains cozy while maintaining a festive air. The walls are adorned with murals of the Mexican countryside, and the wait staff is friendly and quick, leaving barely enough time to finish the complimentary basket of warm tortilla chips and salsa before bringing the main course. Soft-shell tacos are a signature, tostadas, enchiladas, burritos, and tamales are also on the menu, and the fried ice cream is a dessert favorite.

05/28/06

Since Childhood

by chazbarclay

I have to say I have been going to El Charros since I was alittle kid; a little hole in the wall behind a comic store. The taste back then was great. The food had flavor and had a hole differant type of ambient. Nohw since the original owners ave past away and the family have inherited the resturant and now the food is nothing to be desiered. One word to say is BLAND. When I want Mexican food I want the flavors to explode in my mouth like it is suppose to. Not anymore from El Charros. I will head to south Detroit for my Mexican love of food.