El Chupacabra Alki

Everything was ok. I wouldn’t say it’s a traditional Mexican food, to me it very Americanized Mexican. Carne asada taco was pretty sad, but the rest (shrimp, pork, fried cod) and enchiladas was decent. Drinks were good too but a bit sugary. Overall it was a good place, but nothing stood out to us compared to other Mexican restaurants.

Great service. Inside the establishment is a little too dark during the day, but there is a cool vibe. The enchiladas were great, burrito was also pretty good and they have big portions. The chips salsa was amazing and the salsa verde was really good too. Queso was okay. The consistency was too thick. The rice was very good. Overall very decent food.

Came here on a really nice day so it was quite busy. We were sat in about 10 minutes outside. The seating outside is pretty tight (we had 4 people) so maybe sit inside if youre wanting a both or have more than 2 people. the staff was attentive and nice. Got our food in a reasonable amount of time, and it was all hot. Very tasty! Really like the jalapeño poppers. The tacos were very good. Ohhh so Is the rice! Would definitely go again. Prices wernt too bad either.

Me and my friend both loved our dishes! Our server (tall with tattoos) was so attentive and nice and the service in general was really great. I got vegetarian chicken on the nachos and it was amazing, best veggie chicken nachos I’ve had, and fairly priced too.

We walked in excited to try it, we were disappointed because the food wasn’t that great, we got fish battered tacos it had a cream on top but it taste just like mayonnaise, the rice and refried black beans were okay, I ordered a Paloma and also it wasn’t that good, our server didn’t even say hi when she arrived to our table to take our order. Atmosphere it just not our type.

Angela was fantastic, helpful, knowledgeable. Started with chips n salsa, a jalapeño margarita and a strawberry margarita. The salsa was the right balance of chunky to drippy to spicy. The margarita was delicious. Got shrimp street tacos that were overly abundant with shrimp, cilantro, rice, lettuce, and avocado. Filling and delicious.

We tried Tachos, Jalapeño poppers, Torta with Vegan Al pastor, Veggie Tacos, Spicy Strawberry Margarita. They gave side sauces - Chipotle Pineapple sauce, Verde sauce, Spicy garlic sauce. The Chipotle Pineapple sauce has the smoky flavor. The verde sauce and spicy garlic sauce are the highlights. We found the tachos to be rather bland and lacking in flavor. The cheese topping on the tachos was not warm. Those poppers were amazing! Hot, cheesy, crispy, and we loved them. The vegan al pastor in the torta was generously filled. I did find the plant-based meat to be a little dry. Overall, it was flavorful. The veggie tacos were generously loaded with vegetables; the portion size was ample, but the taste was somewhat bland. We had a wonderful experience at the restaurant. The staff was exceptionally friendly, and the beach view from the dining area was absolutely stunning. The overall quality of the food was good, making for an enjoyable meal. However, we would love to see more variety in salsas and dips, as well as an improvement in the flavors of the dishes. While the food was decent, it lacked the authentic taste of the Mexican cuisine we’ve enjoyed in Mexico. Enhancing the depth and richness of flavors would make the dining experience even better.

Super cool vibe Mexican restaurant in West Seattle. Bonus it is right next to Alki beach. So grab a bite to eat and drink and stroll along the beach when you’re done.

I really wanted to love this place, but the food quality could have been better. The location is so perfect, though, that I already know we'll definitely be back. FYI, this place has two levels: an upstairs and a front area for seating. If you want to get a good buzz and eat something to balance out the alcohol, then this place can work for you. If you're looking for quality, it's not the place for you. The service was good for being a divey vibe. The servers were super attentive and friendly. The food and drinks came out lightning quick, too. We came here for Cinco de Mayo's extended happy hour and will be back when we're in the area. The place's affordability is probably what attracts casual diners and folks who just happen to be in the area. We saw people from all walks of life here, not just locals.

I've already eaten at most of the Mexican restaurants in West Seattle, so I can't believe I waited so long to try El Chupacabra. It was amazing and I would definitely go back. It is primarily a bar, so it is very dark inside. I went on a rainy day but I think it would be really fun to also visit during the summer since they have outdoor seating with nice views of Alki Beach. They serve brunch on the weekends (11 AM - 3 PM) but you can also order off of the regular lunch menu. I recommend the 2 Enchiladas plate. It comes with your choice of meat, choice of red or green sauce (or one of each), and refried black beans and Spanish rice on the side. I thought the food tasted great and it was very reasonably priced compared to some of the other restaurants around here! It was a lot of food and there was enough for leftovers. Our server was also awesome. He was friendly, took our order promptly, and brought our food out quickly. He was really much better than what we are used to at other places. This place is a hidden gem!

This Mexican restaurant/bar with dive bar vibes and punk rock music playing reminds me so much of Austin, TX. It has a great location right across from Alki Beach and serves up delicious food and drinks at a reasonable price. The chips and salsa fresca are amazing and the salsas on the table (salsa roja, salsa verde, chipotle pineapple) are addicting. The chicken tinga tacos are flavorful, juicy, and delicious. The margaritas are on point! Happy hour is worth it and it's 4-6 pm and 10-11 pm every day.

Dined here with friends on a busy Saturday night and was seated within 20 minutes. Can't go wrong here with $10 margaritas. Nachos were delicious! Tacos were delicious! Quick turn around and pleasant experience. Service was ok. I'll be back for delicious food and attitude from their servers! It's all good!

This is a great spot. They have indoor and outdoor seating with a variety of drinks. I quite loved my spiked horchata drink. The food was good and very filling. The staff were nice and the energy was good. I hope you enjoy your experience.

Food was okay, not as tasty as the reviews I read prior to visiting this place. Quick service and the atmosphere is the best with Alki beach on the opposite side. Poppers were good. Chimichanga wet burrito (chicken tinga meat) was alright, Grilled cod tacos were bland, Crunchy Chicken verde tacos were okay-ish and Chicken verde+tinga Enchiladas was decent. Mexican Hot toddy and Nutty hot coco was refreshing.

We were looking for a Mexican food place to eat after a long day at the zoo. We're use to eating great Mexican food since we're from California. We were disappointed with this restaurant. The chips tasted like they were from a grocery store and the sauces they put on the table were gross, except the green sauce. The salsa tasted like it was from a jar. My mojito was decent but didn't have much flavor, too many limes and they didn't taste fresh. Hubby had a margarita and burrito, which he said was ok. We both though the carne asada was chewy and very salty. My biggest complaint was the uncooked cheese and tortilla in my quesadilla. How hard is it to mess that up?! Not impressed. The waitress was nice and if you like a good shoe show, the girl seating people wasn't wearing a bra, so when she bent over in her tank top to clean the tables...... let's just say it was very tacky.

Great atmosphere but a little understaffed. Lots of tables with finished plates of food and it looks like there isn't a table busser. The menu had a lot of options and there is a kids menu as well. Our food was really good. I inhaled my mission burrito and my husband got a few different kinds of street tacos. He recommends the TexMex the most! The waitress was amazing considering she was also the bartender. Overall was a really good experience and definitely would come back when we are craving some good Mexican food.

It's not the best vegan food i've ever had, but something about it keeps me coming back. My wife tried the vegan enchiladas and was obsessed. Over a year later and she's bringing it up, haha. I very much enjoy the tacos. The vegan meat isn't house made which is disappointing, but I suppose that is bc they are not actually a vegan restaurant. The vibe is very dive bar and I love that aspect. Affordable and a good beer selection. Just wish they were more dog friendly. Service is good.

This is the best Mexican restaurant in Seattle, hands down. Service is amazing. Will be back.

El Chupacabra is a cool spot to enjoy great Mexican cuisine. The servers are very friendly and I love the location!

The only reason I'm not giving full stars is that I haven't been to this location yet. I've been to the location that used to be on Lake Union - in fact, would go frequently and miss it A LOT, please come back. So rare, in fact unique and unheard of, to have a Mexican food joint that serves a full vegan or vegetarian menu. THANK YOU. It's so fun and such a relief as well to be able to take friends/guests who have different preferences and also be able to order something for yourself. Usually it's a hard sell when you have to choose either all vegan or all not vegan (with maybe one veggie burger). Hoped to take a friend here recently but ended up closer to home. Please open more locations!

Red lighting, fast service, reasonable price, great sauces, huge but average tasting portions

We have loved their Greenwood location so it was great to see them at Alki. The nachos with carne asada were delicious. We also had a cheese enchilada and a few plates of tacos. Friendly, fast service and a beautiful sunset, perfect vibes

We get take out from El Chupacabra often but decided to do Mother's Day dinner on the sun down on Alki. New server, Amanda, was fantastic with our group of nine and the drinks and food were delicious. Such a gem in West Seattle!

We wanted to go somewhere near the water so we had choose this location next to Alki. Inside was a little dark in my opinion but the food was great! most of the things are big portions and reasonably priced, although I would have to disagree about the tacos, they did not seem worth it for the price because of the size. I would recommend the burrito it was cheap while also making you full!

Always a solid choice. After a morning of freezing but sunny beachcombing, we stopped in for a Saturday lunch. The wait wasn't long at all, and so many servers stopped by to make sure we had been taken care of. They bring out crayons with the kid's menu, so little ones can keep entertained. We had a great table right by the window so the view was excellent. Chup also has two patio heaters, so they're still seating outdoors if you're looking for good patios. The food is really varied and there are plenty of options for any dietary restricted individuals. They have a full bar and really interesting seasonal cocktails (Mexican hot toddy was so good). I've been many times and I'm sure I'll be back!

I ordered Huevos Racheros without additional meat. My over easy eggs needed to be more runny. The salsa on the huevos racheros was plain. I needed more kick in the salsa. We ordered chips and guacamole with many salsa. That helped a lots. My friend ordered the batter fish tacos, the batter was too thick. Enchiladas, my friend said it was good. Service was ok, but she was taking care outside and inside tables.

Overly salty margs and food. Don't get the prickly pear margarita it is an undrinkable sugary mess and they won't take it off your tab.

Our worries about bringing our four-year-old to El Chupacabra quickly dissipated as the staff provided coloring pages and crayons to keep our child entertained. Though we couldn't sit on the patio due to the cold weather, we quickly got a table inside and enjoyed the deliciously cheesy enchiladas, generous sides of beans and rice, and a variety of sauces from the salsa bar. To warm up on the chilly day, I had a hot toddy with a spicy Mexican twist, which hit the spot just right. El Chupacabra has a unique punk vibe that transports visitors to old Seattle and sets it apart from other establishments. It's a true gem on the beach that shouldn't be missed.

I had an extremely disappointing experience at El Chupacabra. Upon arrival, we were told there would be a 20-minute wait for our party of four. However, we watched as several other parties were seated ahead of us, despite arriving after we did. When we finally got a table, we were not given any complimentary chips or salsa, which is a staple at most Mexican restaurants. The food, when it eventually arrived, was subpar at best. Overall, the service was poor, and the food did not make up for the wait or the lack of hospitality. I will never be coming back.

GREAT VIEW OF ALKI BEACH FROM THE PATIO This is a Mexican restaurant, although I think it may be more Tex-Mex than authentic Mexican. Being from Los Angeles (For most of my life anyway), I know how to rate Mexican fare. This was pretty average, although I can say the queso was exceptional, real thick hot, homemade queso. You have to eat it fast, though, because once it cools down, it turns almost solid! The Guacamole was also fresh and tasty. It was mild and not too spicy. Not so for the salsa. Watery and virtually tasteless, I am sorry to say. I had beef tacos, and my wife had fish tacos. Both were OK but not exceptional. And for those reasons, I am awarding four stars. BTW, if you enjoyed my review or found it useful, funny, or cool, please don't hesitate to click the little button to say so, or better yet, go ahead and friend me. So go on! Press that button, and never miss one of my epic reviews in the Seattle area and beyond. Excelsior!

It was a little later on a Sunday so I was so thankful they where open till 11pm. Jamie the bartender was so welcoming we sat at the bar. Which was awesome, spacious and they have lots of hot sauces ready to be used. We got Carne Asada Nachos which were fantastic. The gentlemen that dropped them off, was very nice. They have vegan cheese option which is nice for dairy free friends. My friend got the enchiladas dairy free and carne asada. She loved them. I got a Al pastor small burrito, they have a large option. It was so yummy. I also got a Margarita with tahini salt loved it had to have another.

Purely based on the food. The tacos didn't knock it put of the ball park. The server was on point about checking in though.

*vegan review* Food was bomb!!! Wasn't sure what to expect from a place with this name located in Alki (and with so many non-Mexicans eating & working there...lol) but we were super pleasantly surprised. I got a chimichanga with the mock green chicken and vegan cheese and it was amazing!! The mock chicken is impressive. Chimichanga was just right, not too greasy. Hubby got the nachos (which are *huge* - perfect for him!) with mock steak and vegan cheese/sour cream; the mock steak was OK but everything else about the nachos was great so he was still really happy. Our non-vegan friends both got chimichangas and they were very happy with their food. Waitress was great, vibes inside were fun and dive-y (but not too loud/overwhelming), and they get a bonus point for having my favorite tequila at the bar - Hussong's Reposado, for those wondering ;) Definitely look forward to coming back here (and to the other Chupacabra locations)!

I've been to this place easily 80 times over the past ten years. This is definitely a place where the sum is more than its parts - a pretty special mix. It's a divey place with a beautiful view. Even more so now that they have the upstairs bar open with a covered, uninterrupted view of the water. It's got a pretty simple menu, but there are some things on it (like the crispy outside of the chimichanga, or the chipotle pineapple sauce) that become things you straight up crave and compare other restaurants to. The drinks are relatively affordable, you can recognize all the ingredients, and they taste good. The crowd is always interesting to watch - some old school Seattle grunge, a few random tourist families, workers on a break. It reminds me of what restaurant/bars in Seattle used to be like - affordable, unique, a little bit sketchy in a good way.

Tasty, dive-y, nice staff. It would be helpful if there were signage letting customers know that there is food available in the bar with a select menu, and that you need to be added to the hostess' list for a table downstairs if you want to move down. (asking waitstaff to let you know when a table opens up doesn't fit into their workflow and the guy checking IDs doesn't seem to be tasked with sharing any information.) Y'all are often super busy and the staff handles it great, there's just some additional info that would have been appreciated.

I was so shocked to find a Mexican place with clearly labeled vegan options that still felt like the Mexican food I've always loved. They have vegan refried beans!! And cheese and sour cream! It was so nice to actually be able to eat a cheesy, delicious enchilada. The chips and salsa were also fantastic, and the beach vibes were excellent. The food came out super quickly and our server was very friendly. Can't wait to come back the next time I'm in West Seattle!

Such a cute fun place at alki beach! I can't wait to be back! For a small, dive bar kinda Mexican spot, this place had fantastic service! I absolutely loved our server, erin! She checked in on us several times through out our meal! We had the jalapeño margarita- delicious For appt we got chips salsa and guacamole We got the sauces and the rojo (might spell it wrong) was amazing! Spicy but hit the spot We got soft tacos and chicken chimichanga for main course We got fried jalapeños with food that was perfectly done Over all we had Sucha fabulous time that I can't wait to be back! My most favorite part about our evening was our server! The food and drinks being great was a bonus! Location is perfect and the price point on everything was incredible! Biggest bang for you buck at alki!

The good: it's cheap, the drinks are good, the view is great, staff are friendly. The bad: I am sensitive to mold, and Chupacabra reeks of mold, even out on the patio. We went there twice a week apart, and both times the mold smell was so bad, so it wasn't a one-time anomaly. As far as I could tell, the mold smell was mostly from our water glasses and our waitress (We had the same waitress both times, and both times an intense mold smell. Maybe because she washes her hands or uniform in their moldy water? I don't think she's, like, a dirty person). The food didn't smell or taste like mold but the general moldy atmosphere is unbearable. They need a serious look at their pipes/dishwasher and maybe a good bleaching of the space. Unfortunately, not planning to go back, which is sad because it's got a lot going for it if it wasn't so mold-smelling. Sorry Chupacabra!

Went to Alki beach for the day and this was a perfect spot to watch the sunset. We got the house margs with chips and guac. Pretty standard stuff for a mexican restaurant, nothing out of this world. I ordered a wet burrito with al pastor and red sauce and it hit the spot. I got a small and this size was plenty of food. Inside has a super cool grungy, dive bar feel. They have some outdoor seating but do not allow dogs on the patio. Service was great. Overall, the location was great and we loved sitting outside watching the water.

Would definitely recommend this restaurant located right across from Alki beach! Super friendly service from staff that was very knowledgeable of the menu. The ambiance was relaxed and everyone made you feel like family. I would definitely go for the fish burrito, it was absolutely delicious! Just be warned the large burrito is big enough for 2 I have discovered. They definitely like to feed you!

The atmosphere okay, and food was edible. It wasn't as we expected, but stayed to order anyway. Service, from what we recall was good. We had a good banter with the server. Overall, it was just an okay experience for us. I don't know that we'd seek it out to go back.

I've had takeout a few times, and it's a solid 3.5/5 stars. But I recently had the pleasure of dining in, and WOW what a difference that makes. First, the food. It's fine and good in takeout, but really delicious when it's fresh out of the kitchen. I got the vegan beef burrito with vegan cheese and vegan sour cream. Be sure to keep it wrapped in the foil because the filling will burst out of the not-quite-big-enough tortilla. SO TASTY. My partner got the vegan green chicken chimichanga with rice and beans. AHHHMAZING. Finally, we got chips and salsa which was yummy and a good level of spice. It was annoying to pay for salsa, but we're from Texas so it's a different ball game down there. They did bring out a house made trio of hot sauces which were all 3 pretty yummy. Second, the drinks. My partner got a Ranier so can't go wrong there. I got a white sangria which was adorably garnished and satisfactory. Not lip smacking delicious, but hit the spot that day. Finally, the VIEW people!!! Holy guacamole. Pics speak for themselves. I hope to go back for their upper bar sometime for even better views. The inside couldn't be more dive bar-y, but it absolutely fits the personality of the restaurant.

We went for a walk on Alki Ave one day last week and saw this outdoor dining at this place from across the street and decided to check it out. We were in luck and got a table outdoors in about 10 mins. Each table is next to a heater which makes sitting outside comfortable in winter. We started with Poppers and a Mango Margarita. We then got Pork Carnitas Quesadilla, and Chicken Tinga Enchilada (replaced black beans with spanish rice). We loved the poppers, was a little messy to eat adding to our enjoyment of it. All our other items were good, my margarita was over too quickly.

The colder weather is upon us so I couldn't recommend Pozole soup more. You can add hot sauce and a squeeze of lime (which is provided) It's really delicious! I'm yet to try other things from the menu but the pozole soup seems to be the one thing I crave from here.

Great location to enjoy the sunset on the patio or a drink while you walk around the area.

Where do I start... first we ordered chips and salsa with queso, which were great..but that's where the good food ends. I ordered a mojito - a basic drink for a Mexican restaurant - and the drink was so bitter I could only take two sips before pushing it to the side and sticking with my water. I then ordered the carne asada wet burrito. They seemed to forget about the wet part of the burrito as I barely had any green sauce over it. To top it off the green sauce tasted extremely minty, almost as if they put the extra mint meant for my mojito in the sauce. The meat inside the burrito was unseasoned, just like the rest of the components. Overall disappointing experience saved only by our extremely friendly waitress. Customer service is 5 star...unfortunately the food and drinks brought El Chupacabra down to 2.

My wife and I have been going to both Chupacabra locations for many years now and last night was hands down the worst experience that we have ever had. Our server was "Jess". She was rude and so unprofessional. Her constant eye rolling anytime my wife asked for a napkin or extra salsa ( we love the pineapple salsa ) was horrible. She seemed to not like her job very much and certainly her customers. It's shocking to see that the Chupacabra is employing this type of attitude. Certainly not what we have ever encountered at either location before. Perhaps a retraining on how the fun and kind Chupacabra culture is should happen for this employee. For now, we will not be returning to this location.

3 stars because decor and ambiance is great, as well as service. But food-wise I was a bit disappointed. The salsa for the chips was not what I expected. Being a Mexican restaurant I would think they have bomb salsa, but the salsa seemed like the store bought ones. I had the shrimp tacos and they were ok. My husband got al pastor burrito which tasted bland.

The server was very friendly, and accommodating. I tried the vegan tacos and they were absolute fire

Food not good and they don't let your dog sit with you. All around bad vibes. I would not suggest. Go to mission

The service was so bad, I understand that it's hard to serve people outside, but no matter what the waiter or servant should not give people attitude. It was hard to hear each others and instead he was getting mad and yelling at us. They were so rude and not willing to help at all. I had guest from California and I was so embarrassed to bring them over all the way from Bellevue where I could get a much better service and respect. For sure my last time as well.

IFKYK-Mexican food in Seattle is dicey (why do Cali transplants get our hopes up for nothing) , vegan Mexican food even dicier. El Chubracabra is my favorite Mexican spot to take my beloved carnivore friends so we can all have options & be happy. First off the variety is amazing- each salsa is unique & fun to layer, the drinks are delightfully stiff while still being tasty, fried jalapeños offered is always a good sign, a wide variety of hot sauces are offered, and the waiters & cook staff are incredibly flexible, kindly modifying most dishes. For the vegans/ vegetarians- try the veggie steak enchiladas Christmas style (rojo & verde). You can tell everyone loves & cares about what they do here so please treat them kindly!

like to give a shout out to the RUDEST staff around! We have a large group, I made the mistake of pulling a small table over (without permission from the condescending men). The male bartender humiliated my friend--yelling at her in front of the whole business and demanding our entire group (of 6) leave. It's great that this is such a popular business that service no longer matters.

My neighborhood Mexican restaurant! Really cool spooky "day of dead" theme inside. Family friendly, reasonably priced and fabulous vegan/vegetarian options.

My friend has been talking up El Chupacabra, so I was stoked to finally go with her. I was impressed by the ability to make almost the entire menu vegetarian or vegan, with four different meat options. You can also pay a little extra to get vegan cheese. If you aren't familiar, the vegan cheese is very obviously not real cheese, but a good substitute for sure. The meat, though, you probably wouldn't know if you didn't know. I was very happy with the enchiladas. I got one with mock green chicken and one with mock steak, and I honestly couldn't decide which was better. The rice was also surprisingly tasty, as were the chips & salsa. I'd definitely go back to try out some of the rest of the menu. (Sorry about the poor photo. The lighting is set much more for the mood than for photos.)

We were here for dinner on a Friday. They have seating outside and are careful maintaining distance and cleaning. Outside seating is heated. We ordered the chicken enchiladas and the tachos. It was good. Overall, Safety: 5/5 Food: 4/5 Service: 5/5

Great service and great margaritas! Love the vibe. Alki needs a dive-y place like this and it fits the bill well plus it's open late! Big benefit to those in the area

I'm a sad Californian as, since moving here... I haven't been able to find any good Mexican places. I've tried restaurants and trucks alike, but El Chupacabra has been the best Mexican food I've had so far. I'm from San Diego, and this is coming from a person who would visit Mexico twice a month for like ten years. I sat at the bar, as I admired the cool and interesting mix of decor. The lighting inside is all red and has a lounge feel. Everything feels very close and cozy. My bartender was very kind and got me a Midori sour and it's the best thing I've consumed, as I do not like the taste of alcohol but this drink tastes like liquid warheads or like drinking a bag of extra sour skittles, it was delicious! The food came out fast and was wonderful. The black beans were very soupy but they're just aside. I was pleasantly surprised that their Spanish rice was not dry as 95% of restaurants make it drier than a saltine cracker. The rice was good, the Chimichanga was so much better. The crispy deep-fried tortilla hit the spot. The carnitas were a little bland, but it is hard to season carnitas and pulled pork. It's easy to over or under-season pork, so I'm glad I could add salsa, salt, lime, or guac to dress it up. The guacamole is divine, there is so much flavor, I would pay money to be slathered with this guac, it's f***** phenomenal. I will be recommending this place! Finally found a little slice of home in a new city.