El Charro of Saint Clair Shores

Overall it was fine. My wife and I have gone to the other El Charro restaurants and have been pretty happy with them. But it's clear that this one is an attempt to make a fast food variation of what we were familiar with. The service was great. They were very polite and very helpful. The food itself was greasy and just nowhere near what we have come to expect from the other more traditional locations. To say the least, we ate and it was fine. But it was very much so disappointing when we were under the impression that we were getting what we were already used to from the other locations. You want a fast food variation of a more traditional Mexican place? This is probably the closest you'll get in this area. But definitely not the best food I've had.

We always dine-in here, we LOVE El Charro!! But tonight was our first time in the drive through and I must say, I am super impressed!! By the time I got my food home too, it was like they had just brought it to me at my table!! LOVE El Charro even more now!! & you literally cannot beat the price! Paid $15 for a whole meal with double chips and salsa… same amount as a number one at any fast food place you go too!?! Definitely recommend to Everyone!!

I hate to give anyone a 1 star, by my god the food was bad. 2 of us ordered carry out from here and literally none of it was good, not a single thing was enjoyable in any way. I’ve never been able to say that about any restaurant. The chicken was dry as a bone any chewier than rubber. Everything was cold (and we were there early to get our food and only live a few minutes away). The only saving grace was supposed to be what they call “deep fried ice cream”, and even that was bad. I honestly can’t believe I’m leaving such a bad review, but, here we are. I’ve ALWAYS been able to find something positive to say about a given restaurant, but as the saying goes “there’s a first time for everything’. Seriously, Taco Bell, Dell Taco, anything else is better. Don’t waste your time or money.

Enchilada was nothing special, but edible. Chicken burrito was extremely dry. I went here for lunch around 11 am and the chicken was surprisingly dry. The salsa didn’t even help. You’d would think the chicken would be fresh at lunch. For desert had the cheesecake fried. Really no flavor. Even with the caramel sauce it still wasn’t right. Ice cream was good. For the convenience of a drive-through and the prices I gave 3 stars. Plus the staff was nice. I wouldn’t go out of my way to eat here. I’ve been to the Fraser location and no real complaints besides not being authentic Mexican. But the dry chicken was a big disappointment.

Without a shadow of a doubt best Queso in Michigan. Food is really good. I've searched high and low, far and wide in Michigan. As a native Texan, this place hits the closest to home!

It's fast food. If you like dry, bland food, stomach aches, and acid reflux this is the place. We were so disappointed. I couldn't even eat the food, it was such poor quality. This is how the food came – the beans and rice not separated, the "meat" dry and bland, the portions small. I can't believe that these two meals cost $44. It's a $10 two-for-five quality at best. I'd expect food like this from Taco Bell.

UPDATE UPDATE:: A buddy said he wanted to take me here for lunch sometime. I told him to hold on a minute and looked up the menu and pricing. Then told him oh no we're not going there. Prices look like they've only gone up and I see a number of reviews that are complaining about the prices and the small portions. Okay how are you going to charge $11 for two puffy tacos and then charge $21 for a puffy taco dinner with two puffy tacos rice and refried beans!! Rice and refried beans costs $10 more! Probably will never be back to this place. I'm surprised they're still around. Should be ashamed of themselves, they don't respond to reviews either from what I have seen. END UPDATE:: UPDATE: Prices have been way to high for way to long and it has just gotten out of hand. Will not be back as a result unfortunately. Times are changing and hopefully others don't let themselves be taken, but they seem to be fairly busy so I think they will be alright. One star until something changes. Because when you have to spend $20 a person and get what you get, better just go to a restaurant restaurant at that point and get far better quality food. END UPDATE. Pretty good Mexican food place and the only place around me that I can get a puffy taco. Which are delicious and should be tried by all. I do wish they would fix their rice though it just doesn't seem right and it hasn't changed, last time we were here was probably four or five years ago and it was the same then. Oh yeah if you want to come here and eat there was a sign on the door saying that June 20th 2022 closing inside dining, and I heard a women working there saying they were going to close the indoor area down to focus on the drive-thru, indefinitely. What a bummer. The chimichanga we got was REALLY tiny wow, should have put a fork in there for sizing but you can get an idea from the taco next to it and the little bit of guacamole. Thought we were getting an ok deal till we saw that. They're drive thru is always busy and usually out to the road, the menu and where you order are on the opposite side of the parking lot from the building because the line is so long.

I do love the food, but I was not happy at all with the sign in the drive-through after 2 PM. They do not give plastic wear or napkins so how are you supposed to wipe your hands and what are you supposed to eat with what if you have a salad or some dinner that requires you to actually eat with a fork or silverware??? That’s the stupidest policy I ever heard in my life

El Charro it has been a staple in our household for decades. The best Mexican out there

Paid for extra sauce on my enchilada and ended up getting no sauce at all. In a world where people are struggling, and they choose your restaurant to spend their money on food, be consistent and make sure their order is correct. So frustrating. It looks like I received somebody's leftovers.

Still love the restaurant. Been going since I could talk. Prices have climbed over the years while portions and sizes have gone down. I got a small (not mini) Botana recently and I couldn't believe how small it was all while being $3-4 for dollars than it was a couple years ago. First I'll say I'm so glad they took my order after 8:30, but the salad used to come in an entirely homemade taco shell bowl and now it just comes with homemade tortilla style chips on top. The salad was lacking. It was mostly tortilla chips. Lettuce is also wilted from the hot mahi and peppers (needs to be served on the side), but also a lot of bad/brown lettuce. For almost $17 it should be full and fresh.

Delicious fajitas. Whatever that chicken is marinated in is liquid gold. You can tell the staff puts their hearts and souls into this food.

Food is good but they must be competing for the world's smallest Chimichanga. For the ridiculous prices and small portions definitely not worth it. I had to go to Taco Bell after.

Great wet burritos Quick delivery Really enjoyed Beans are great 85 characters is too much to post have to type too much

Ordered take out, it was done fast. The price is right. I just wish I would have ordered more because I was still hungry. Me and my husband both ordered the super wet burrito, it can with chips and salsa. I didn't take a picture because we were too hungry and it was so good. I thought it came with sides but it did not. It was only the burrito. Next time we will try dinning in, so we can look at the full menu. We will try it again for sure.

The staff is courteous., always greeted w/a smile either indoors or @ carry out window. I've never had a meal that wasn't right. Always delicious so delicious that I take a drive to scoop up the puffy tacos and so much more and it's so worth it

I'm not sure of the low score here. El Charro is close to my house and it hasn't disappointed. They are known for their Puffy Tacos and they are worth it! I often order the Pick two combo which comes with two puffy tacos (I have mine with the shredded chicken) and beans and rice. It also includes a drink and chips and salsa. For the price you can't go wrong! Enough for a meal and lunch the next day for me. The tacos are fried but never greasy (in my experience) and the rice is also seasoned with flavor. The beans aren't my favorite, but that's okay. I'm not a big fan of them regardless. El Charro does get bonus points for their single "Nacho" on the menu. I know I can easily make a hard shell tortilla with cheese and jalapeños at home but it truly hits the spot here! Dip it in their medium salsa and I am on cloud nine! The drive thru line does get long at times but it moves fairly steady. Service is great!

This is the third time I have tried this restaurant and it has been a no each time. I can not waste anymore money giving this restaurant a chance to deliver something good. I will drive to southwest destroy from now on.

I just went through the drive thru and want to give a shout out to Cameron! Great smile! Great customer service! Very polite! Please recognize him. Thank you

You walk in, believing your going into a Restaurant! No!! This location is fast food style!!! So unwelcoming at the entrance!! God Damn fast food ordering outside.. then... inside too!!! This is a dumpster fire on top of a trash barge! Do not stop here!!! Go to Fraser and sit down like a human being that wants good atmosphere and food!!! Not refill your own drink, Taco Bell feeling place with restaurants prices!!! Horrible!

Food is good as always. Friendly service. Problem is they keep downsizing the portions and raised the ala cart prices to be the same as the combos. As of Sept '24 they did this again. Small puffy tacos for $5+ , the chkn chimi super small and where you used to get a cup of each, sour cream and guacamole, now comes in one small cup. I'm out, done with restaurants that do this. El Charro I hope your happy cuz now your downsizing your customer base

My husband & I said Mexican carryout, never! I don't know how they do it, but it's always delicious!! Their lunch special is a great deal too. Includes chips & salsa

My girlfriend and I went here for lunch today and we had some of the best service ever . During our meal a two women came in and one began complaining there wasn't "plain" sauce. Idrk what she meant by that but the staff handled it really well and even offered us dessert for it. 10/10 would recommend, very nice people and very good food :)

A must stop for me every time I go home. This is my favorite of the locations. I enjoy the more relaxed setting. I have been going here since before I can even remember. It has never disappointed.

I used the drive thru, due to Covid 19. It was only the second time I have ever visited, and I didn't really remember what it was like. I was pleasantly surprised. When I arrived, there was 1 car ahead of me, but it didn't take long. They had a limited menu due to COVID, so it took me a few minutes of asking questions to place my order, but they were very friendly and helpful when I asked questions. I ended up ordering 2 puffy tacos, 1 with shredded beef and 1 with shredded chicken, as well as a shredded chicken chimichanga. I pulled around and the wait for the car ahead of me was minimal. The girl at the window was very friendly and was masked appropriately. My order was ready in a couple minutes and off I went. The 2 puffy tacos were amazing; especially the beef one. I absolutely loved the texture of the puffy taco and the seasonings were very good. The quality of both the beef and chicken was excellent. I didn't really care for the chimichanga. The quality was good, but they put a sauce on top so it wasn't crispy by the time I ate it. I also wish there had been cheese in it. That said, overall everything was excellent. I'll definitely be back!

So, not sure what happened today, but went to El Charro today, and got my usual: 2 combo (chimichanga and enchiladas). The enchilada was smaller than normal and chimichangas was palm size (two bites) literally. I'm so mad right now.

i love el charro i crave it once a week i like the spicy level of t salsa and meat and beans very much

Pleasant- efficient- professional!! Food amazing also!! WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE PERIOD..

Great food, friendly, staff, and a clean and bright dining area. When we are in the mood for Mexican food, they are definitely the best on the east side!

Great food. They have drive thru service which is surprisingly fast evening though they are making it fresh. Although if you're there during the evening dinner rush you'll have to wait but not as long as you'd think. And the food is worth it. Great Mexican food.

This location does not serve alcohol! That is definitely a selling point of the other locations, where I will be going instead.

One of the worst meals I've ever had in my life. Flavorless rice. Flavorless salsa. Puffy taco with ground beef was awful as the ground beef was a notch below in cafeteria taste and consistency and everything else about it was complete lackluster. I've lived in SCS for 4 years and I never stopped here despite the long lines. Glad to have only experienced this once. Never again.

After hearing about the puffy tacos, I wanted to give this place a try. I ride past the establishment all the time. I LOVE Mexican food, and I was hoping the food would be good. Huge disappointment! I ordered chicken and beef burritos and tacos. Where's the flavor? Everything was bland. Taco Bell is better.

Did an afternoon meal here again. I ordered the Burrito and Enchilada combination, which includes a complimentary drink. This is some of the best American style Mexican food in the area! OK, so they also offer a military discount at 20% at all locations. Ask for the discount before ordering. Thanx El Charro!! Don't forget, children 10 and under eat free on Sundays at all El Charro locations. Purchase a lunch special or regular entree for each free children's meal. Yes, kids eat free. Check out the aquarium at the Harper location. Nicely done.

Thursday it's dinner rush hour -we are in drive thru- waiting to pick up order-seen a guy climbing off the roof - with apron and plastic gloves on- as he goes in to back foot- we Wonder if he's the cook! we pull up to pick up window and we can now see him filling up tacos and setting up food. Come to find out he's one of the line cooks. I casually ask the girl at window- did he change his gloves? She was unaware that he was on the roof 5 mins before! Real unsanitary

Best shredded beef puffy tacos and salsa!!! Fast service. Love their food! Authentic and fresh!

Good food,decent service,casual dining. The price of things have gone up but that's pretty much every where. They have a drive through too which is nice restaurant food with the fast food service.

My husband and I have been here many times. We went today for national margarita day. No specials, ok fine. We look at the menu and my husband wanted a burrito with steak and shrimp. They wouldn't not do a steak burrito and offered no shrimp. I ordered chicken chimichangas (spelling ?) And the chicken was dry and I wasn't aware that they came fried. We spent about $35 on food alone and didn't even eat. We did mention it to the waiter but refused to order anything else. Not authentic and very disappointed.

What happened? Used to love this place! Second time now so disappointed with the botana.and what could be salty on it.It is overly salty and just thrown together, Cheese is melted to pan.I won't be back.Not to this location anyways.where are the Mexican s? Get rid of the Americans.tasted terrible

Came here last night with my wife. She ordered a puffy taco. I ordered a burrito. Both were good. I wouldn't say it's the best Mexican food I've ever had, or that it's even authentic Mexican food, but I would say it's decent food for being Americanized.

So .... I've made quite a few trips to this location for two reasons they have a drive through which is Convenient and two there are no other Mexican places in the area. However today I think I've finally had it. I mean how hard is it to give napkins and silver ware with your food. This is a restaurant / drive through half of the food they serve requires utensils. Not one time have I been given a fork or napkin. Which means the food I got is wasted. Most of the time I stop at this establishment for a quick lunch meaning I am not going home but working. Today I even ask for utensils and to have my beans and rice separate so it was a giant mess. How hard is that request ?!?! Apparently to difficult because neither thing happened :(

Went here for a friends birthday recently and I was a little disappointed. The margaritas and service was great but the tacos were subpar. Have definitely had better at many other locations. Been here before and the steak fajitas were very good.

Very bland. We tried the puffy tacos, burrito, enchilada, tostada, and chili rellano, and sadly, $40.00 later, nothing stood out. Nothing happened in our mouths to draw us back. A very disappointing choice by me for National Taco Day :(. The burrito was literally just meat in a shell topped with cheese and no flavor. The tostada had three diced tomatoes on it. The puffy tacos were cold. The chili rellano was a naked poblano stuff with plain ground beef. IF anything makes them different at all, it's that their puffy taco isn't available at every taco joint on the corner, and you get a small amount of complementary chips and salsa when you dine in. Reminding myself not to go again.

Worst food I have ever had. Flavor made me sick and the rest of my family hated it. Will never go back. A lot of fake reviews on this place make me wonder if reviews are even worth the effort.

way over priced. paid almost $20 for 2 cheese topped tortillas filled with ground beef and a soda. Then the staff has the nerve to ask you for a tip when you cash out. Comical. Not going back again.

Never heard of a "puffed taco" before, until some work folk recommended we come here. Gotta day, I'm pressed and very satisfied! There is a choice between ground beef, shredded chicken or fish (extra charge), and the meal comes with beans/rice. Two puffed tacos were enough for me! Service was quick and staff were very friendly; received military discount as well!

I have grown to appreciate what they do so I am upping my score here. There is no denying that theIr soft shell tAcos are legendary. Do not order the fajitas. They serve it on a plate not a sizzling skIllet. The nacho supreme is actually served like a pizza and it's really great. Nice salsa as well. Consistent and interesting Mexican food deserves 4 stars.

Always a pleasure! We usually have to customize our orders a bit & they always get it right. The new way to order over the phone & pick up at the store is super efficient. The people who take the order are friendly, attentive, & know how to stick to their process. Thank you!

I have been such a fun of El Charro for as long as I can remember! I love the drive thru feature! Delicious food made fast and I've never had an issue with accuracy. LOVE THIS PLACE!!!

Only two stars cause the food was still good. But I didn't know this wasn't a normal El Charro that didn't have booze and and was carryout style. No hot sauce either. Definitely not coming here again since it costs the same. I'm sure it's good for the drive through cause it's better than Taco Bell but it's still $25 for 2 people. No thanks.

Not Mexican. Fake Mexican and not even good fake. The puffy tacos just add greasy to an already greasy meal.

I am a vegetarian, so you can know this review is not biased. I would not accept financial compensation for a restaurant that has meat, and would not accept paid promotions for a restaurant that serves meat. That being said, I have a duty to the Truth and to Civilization in order to post a True and Honest Review and to keep the shills at bay. Firstly, the reviews of this restaurant seem very odd and polarizing. Either people seem to rate it 5 stars or 1 stars. There are some flaws of the restaurant so I only list it 4 stars. I believe the people that hate the restaurant are either shills or cannot stand the bitter taste. There is a bit of a bitter taste to some of the ingredients which is a bit of an acquired taste. Some people will love it others will hate it. Its like some people dont like broccoli but others have become evolved Advanced beings and enjoy such cuisines such as, Truffle mushrooms. Firstly this gets only a 4 stars because a few weeks ago they gave us rude service, claiming they had no menus. Even if they had no menus, they could have went about it in a better and more polite way. Second, payment is a pain and you have to provide credit card in order to order in advance, but you can pay with cash in person. Also, the online menu is fairly rudimentary and does not give a description of the foods. Third: Over priced, the items are expensive. Fourth: Quality: It is better than the Taco Bells around here, but is lacking in diversity, such as you get the basics, bean cheese and rice but not much more. Flavor-wise, it is good, but not the best on Earth. It is certainly better than the Taco bells or del tacos around here. Fifth, they provide good plastic containers for some items, but unfortunately provide cheap styrofoam for some of the small items. Styrofoam is bad for a multitude of reasons, for instance bad for the environment and bad for society as it contains harmful particulates. I would recommend upgrading from styrofoam to hemp based products in all future scenarios. Furthermore my dad said the food is good and I didn't want to give it 3 stars so I gave it 4. I believe the elitist shills gave it an unfair rating of 1 stars so i have to balance that out as well.

I have been going to this el charros for over 20 years. I love using the drive through. It's quick , the food fresh, and the staff is friendly. I have never had an issue with my food, everything is always delicious.

Honestly, the only thing I missed was the bar. Everything else was amazing. My boyfriend and I dined in. You order how you would at a fast food place, however, when you complete your order you sit down & a worker brings you the food. PERFECT for introverts. We ordered the cheese fondue with extra taco sticks. He ordered some type of burrito platter with rice and beans. I enjoyed a full chicken quesadill. You still get complimentary chips and salsa, and if the runner sees you are getting ready to leave they ask if you need a to-go container. Wonderful experience. Will dine again.

This used to be one of my favorite places, but I went there last night & they changed the tamales to more traditional ones but I liked the other version better. I also ordered a guacamole taco & I got a huge slice of avocado instead of all guacamole. It was like they didn't mash it all. The last item was a cheese & onion enchilada- I've been trying for years to duplicate their sauce on the enchiladas. This was not that sauce. It's like a red sauce from a can. Food quality is gone. Idk if they sold the place or what but I won't be going back.

My most favorite place to go when I'm craving some Mexican food. Just moved back to the shores and I've been here 3 times. Staff could be a little nicer but you get what you expect--pretty delicious Mexican food in a drive thru. If you haven't had the puffy taco...get in your car and get one. Now.

My boy paully g turned me on to this spot and I simply love it. Best fajitas in town. They have kids eat free on Sunday but I never get to take advantage of that because my kids hate Mexican food. Anyone have a hungry kid to loan out on Sunday's? Staff is pretty cool manager is even nicer. Chips and salsa are a hit they usually give the mild (kick it up a notch and ask for the spicy) it's much better. Tamales are also really good.