El Meson

We were a group of 4 people. Took our chance since we didn't have a reservation. Resto was very busy. No space for us inside and patio was full. A young lady lead us outside to an alley barely any aeration. It was hot and humid! We stayed though and patiently waited for our orders. Dined here few times and almost always happy with our food. Our favorite was the whole grilled fish. It was delicious! I just wish there was a fan so we could have enjoyed better our dining experience.

Food was very good and that about it ! Waiters and waitresses seemed bothered if we asked a question . We asked for the drink menu and the waiter told us he was too busy at the moment! Finally when we ordered the drinks one came back wrong and mine was supposed to be slushy and it wasn’t. Food was actually tasty and perfect temperature. When I paid I wanted the receipt from the machine and he said sorry too late . I was like you never asked if I wanted a copy and his response was too late now ! Food was very services was not! Will not be returning!

Amazing food, great portion size. We tried Enchiladas, chiles Rellenos both veg and Chicken Tacos. All of them were amazing. We tried the Harchhata and Jamaica drink. It was nice as well. Great ambience and the server was very nice too. A different vibe whole together. Would definitely recommend.

Delicious. Sat outside and had a nice dinner. Good portions and excellent service. Beautiful decor and location close to the water. Always a pleasure.

Love this place! Family run, little place, but food is great, and don’t have too much trouble getting a reservation. I always order their seafood platter, it’s so good, and only $35. It should be $55, imho. Parking is a bit of a pain, it’s metered, but bearable. Seafood platter has 4 butterflied shrimp, tons of mussels, nice piece of white fish, cooked perfectly, scallops, and some garlic bread. Love the ambiance, always 3/4 full when I’ve been there, lots happening, but not too loud.

A lovely birthday lunch at El Mesón. My friend and I both ordered the tortilla lunch special. She enjoyed her fish tortilla and I also enjoyed my vegetable and bean tortilla. The lunch special included a tortilla soup, a bit of salad and rice on the plate, and tea or coffee, which was good value for $17.50. We ordered a tres leches cake for dessert even though we were both kind of full but we were celebrating, after all. 😊 The wait staff was kind enough to put a candle in the cake which was so cute! Even though I knew it was coming, it still made me grin like a child. Compliments to Samuel, Os, and Stavroula, the wait staff, who seemed to enjoy their jobs and it seemed their mission was to make our dining experience as enjoyable as possible.😊

Great place to have a tasty meal with a Lachine Canal view. Friendly service and nice atmosphere.❤️ Recommend to try the fish ceviche.

I stopped off to eat at this restaurant with my partner after a long drive on our longboards. We were very excited to try this restaurant, as it had been on our list for some time. The food was very good, fortunately for them. But we were treated very badly by the owner which I’m assuming that. The waitress that was also serving us in between was very nice. He got angry because our skates were sitting on the wall and instead of respectfully asking us to move them somewhere else, he did it with a lot of attitude that didn't belong. I don't know what his problem was, he continued to be rude until the end. The food is 4.5/5. But because of his crappy attitude that ruined our moment and even our night, I give them a 1.

Small Mexican style restaurant with some good food. We ordered the carne asada and although a little different from the typical dish of the same name in the US, it was very good. The condiments were a little lighter and different, and no tortillas were served. The amount of rice and beans was a lot smaller than usual too. One of the surprises was a chicken filled small corn cake which accompanied the dish. We really enjoyed it. Prices were rather low for the food quality to be honest. Good service and good ambiance.

Tried el Meson for the first time tonight and overall it deserves 3/5 stars. 1.) The pollo barbacoa was super delicious. So flavorful and cooked perfectly 2.) Steak fajitas were a pass. The meat was chewy and had a weird smell The service was non existent. The waiter only came by once to grab our food order and then disappeared until it was time for the check. Vibes were really nice! Soft Mexican music playing and nice Mexican decor. 3/5

The only Mexican restaurant that I see in the area and it's popping I recommend everything I ordered, the owners are from Mexico so you are getting some authentic food

Phenomenal authentic Mexican food with exceptional service. I got the chicken enchiladas with mole and they were one of the best things I've ever eaten. We also got margaritas which were so good. Definitely recommend this place if you want amazing Mexican food!

This is honestly the best Mexican food I've had north of Texas... waaaaay north. The outdoor seating areas in the front, at the side and in the back are completely charming. Their cocktails, including virgin beverages, are a delight. I had no idea a virgin margarita could be so satisfying! I have tried a few dishes here now, and hands down, the nopales with beef are my favourite. The lamb is incredible. Also, bonus, they have soft corn tortillas so the gluten-free option is delicious and possible here. The service is fantastic as well. I'll definitely keep going back again and again during my short time in Lachine!

Not only was the food just ok, it was overpriced and when I mean overpriced, I mean they overcharged me on my credit card 3 times!!! When I tried to explain it to them they argued with me and told me to say take it up with the credit card company and then when I did that they argued it again and said it was valid! Real pieces of garbage at that place. If you eat there make sure you get the right bill and the right charge before you leave otherwise you'll get ripped off!

The stuffed pepper meal is yummy in my tummy. In house or take out, the presentation is great! The soups are tasty too! Great comfort food!

Cute little mexican place with a tiny terrasse right next to canal Lachine. They have very decent mexican food such as the fajitas. The portions are pretty good and you don't leave hungry at all. Make sure you reserve before going if it's during a nice warm summer day because you won't get any places.

I've been coming here from time to time since at least 2004. Over the years have brought out-of-town friends here for dinner many times and always love it. Sitting on a prime location next to the historic Lachine Fur Trade and the Parc Rene Levesque and the Lachine waterfront, in Lachine's old village, you can't ask for a better outdoor location especially during the summer and during sunset.They also have a big terrasse out back. I should stress this is NOT Mexican fast food. This is real Mexican home-grown food with probably the best Chicken Mole in Montreal, chicken in that amazing chocolate spicy sauce served with cactus, rice and refried beans. Their sangria and their tres leches cake (3 milks cake) is also amazing. It is a family run operation with traditional Mexican decoration everywhere. When I came on Saturday night with a buddy, all the surrounding tables were full and there was a happy hum to the place. This isn't high-end dining but they must be doing something right for staying in business all these years.

By the river. Quality food. Small but authentic Mexican look. Make reservations ahead in time to guarantee a table. Polite and kind staff makes the place even better. Would definitely come back again.

YUM! Happy with their salsa, but couldn't go back to it after they offerred me to try their even spicier green salsa ! Their apetizer of some sort of cheeze "fundo" with shrooms and cactus on tortilla bread was really nice, I could have eaten that all day. The cactus reminded me of long green beans and I'm sure I would have enjoyed a whole bowl of it. Beer's good. Draft comes in nice large glasses that aren't too big or small. Their water wasn't plain. It may come in a small glass, but at least they added a nice touch with different citruses ^_^. All 3 entrees and a soup we ordered were more on the bland side, though they were all properly cooked. Their 2 different versions of salsas saved the meals. I'm starting to be really worried about Montreal in general though, it seems that bland is a popular trend everywhere I go here. I'm going to have to figure out how to order in a way where they can understand they don't have to be afraid to flavour up my dishes. One of us ordered a steak well done and I was impressed that it was still tender. Their "tacos" are not what I thought a taco was, more like grilled burritos covered in sauce. My mom preffered and really liked the chocolate cake, though my bro and I found it had no kick and was just fair. I think it's a great cake for people who don't have a sweet tooth but want to endulge. I liked how they used pure chocolate on top, that's a very classy touch. We really liked the white cake a lot actually... "leche" something, basically made with milk/sweetened condensed milk? I don't remember but it was great ^_^ Neither of their cakes tasted like cheap grocery store types. They tasted and looked more like they were homemade but with special ingredients instead of just plain white sugar. The restaurant itself was very small and cute, overlooking the river with a terass in the front and the back. About 13 tables inside with a lot of traditional decorations! A bit cluttered, but not tacky and very homy, I liked it a lot. The service was very friendly and actually attentive. Our waiter was great ^_^ I'd love to come back in the summer!

Everything here is amazing!!!! The guacamole, black bean soup, and ceviche are my favorites!

A smaller place that sits on the water in Lachine. Colors pop off the wall and the small staff is very welcoming. The place oozes charm which really helps pack a punch in the ambiance. The food itself was flavorful and authentic. Although the prices are ever-little so higher than similar restaurants, there is always an uptick in prices in this area of town so it's actually a competitive price. Had a great time, with great company, will certainly have this place bookmarked.

Om nom nom - literally! Our friends brought us here for dinner just recently. Best Mexican food I have had in Montreal so far, the best! We ordered the chicken enchiladas and chicken tacos AND guacamole with chips obviously. The service was quite decent. The enchiladas and tacos looked mouthwatering and tasted Dee-licious!! The portions are quite generous. I couldn't finish my food so hubby overate. Highly recommend this place for some authentic Mexican food. Can't wait to go back with my father in-law! He loves Mexican food.

The resto is a great spot: a stone's throw away from Rene Levesque parc in Lachine. So it's a nice spot for a break from biking if you're riding from downtown - especially w the family. The food is essentially Tex-mex and it's solid. Nice virgin pina coladas too (no alcohol for me when riding w my 10 year old! - but adult versions and beers are available too).

This place gets a high rating because the service is awesome and the setting is super cute overlooking the canal. I tried the mole chicken plate and the chinichurri steak, as well as the guac for an entree. Nothing about the food was standout but I could tell that a lot of regulars go there so the ambiance made up for it I guess. Prices were fair, for the two mains, guac and pitcher of sangria, it was just under a 100$ with tax.

The El Meson is a delightful Mexican restaurant situated on the shore of the St. Lawrence river. The flavors are authentic and the service is very attentive. An intimate outdoor patio welcomes you where you can enjoy sangria and gentle breezes off the river. We enjoyed the guacamole as an appetizer to compliment a half pitcher of sangria. One difference we noticed was the absence of fruit pieces floating in the pitcher. This difference didn't take away from the refreshing flavors. For the main course we enjoyed the carne asada and chicken fajitas. Both entrees were cooked to perfection and were rich in flavor. My only criticism is with the reservation system. Guests next to us were asked to move after being seated due to a reservation conflict. Overall, I would still highly recommend El Meson for a quiet evening overlooking the St Lawrence.

Very cute and friendly Mexican restaurant on the canal. Large, tasty portions. At our table if 9, my favorite was the cactus salad. We also ordered fajitas, fish, enchiladas and tortilla soup - - all very good and well spiced. Not an extensive beer and wine menu, but a nice selection to choose from. Very friendly staff.

Great service, every staff comes with big smiles. Decor in warm colors that gives you a home-y feel. Pretty popular spot in an otherwise tranquil area. 4 star because both food and drinks we had that day were slightly too salty/sweet.

Cutest little place located right across from the water. This restaurant has a very nice ambience to it. Nothing fancy just super authentic and colorful. Customer service is the key to running a great business and this place sure has got it ! The food is okay a bit salty but I gave them 4 stars because they have amazing customer service. You'll truly feel welcomed.

The restaurant is adorable and has a lovely terrace in front of the water, super romantic at night. the service was excellent but the food was not exceptional. the portions were perfect and tasty but the beef was chewy and it wasn't the "best mexican food". a bit pricy also.

My sister-in-law and I happened upon this little Mexican restaurant this afternoon while wandering the walking paths of Lachine. We sat outside and ordered Chile Rellenos and also vegetarian Enchiladas with tomato sauce. Both were delicious...so much so that we brought our husbands back for dinner! They had the same dishes (except the tomato sauce was swapped out for a spicier mole sauce on the enchiladas) and were equally pleased. We also had the signature margaritas and they were very good. The staff was friendly and provided great service. The place is decorated in bright colors that make you feel as if you could be in Mexico and everything is immaculate. Will come back next time we are in the area.

Delicious Mexican Restaurant in Lachine, right by the water! Very good food and authentic atmosphere. We were strolling around the area and decided to go in to try, was not disappointed! The sangria was great, the food too! Will come back more times!

Great atmosphere, kind service and delicious food. The mole sauce was very authentic with a kick. Amazing guacamole! Only issue was they did not have any high chairs which can be a challenge with toddlers.

Easy going Mexican restaurant with tasty food. Intimate, feels a bit cramped inside but the service is very friendly!

We were there for celebrating an occasion. The food was delicious and more than enough for each person. I mean u can't eat all of it coz it was a lot. But it was salty! Anyway... In Lachine area right by the water it's a perfect place to enjoy the Mexican restaurant. The ambiance was good and Mexican music it makes you more happy. The service was OK!! It seems that they were hire new waitress that they have to learn more and more! In conclusion it's fine to go over there for once or twice a year. We will be back next year too ;)

Two pitchers of sangria later, I approve. Seriously though, this is clearly a family run joint where the father is in the kitchen and the children are working the front of house. That, plus food which was far more authentic than I expected (umm, cactus garnish?) makes for a small business that really deserves to be rated favorably. Was everything a home run? No, not really... but it was still better than every other Americanized Mexican joint I've been to in the States. Whatever you are doing Restaurant El Meson, please don't stop. Merci.

Excellent food and service, great ambiance and home feeling. Summer time is amazing with the Terrasse. Stop reading this review and come try it!

No this is not a fancy place, no they don't have top notch wine and no they can't accommodate huge groups in winter (in summer they do have a terrace in back). HOWEVER, this is one of the MOST AUTHENTIC Mexican restaurants. You can actually taste the "home made" flavours. Typical meals that you would find in Mexico. Decor: crooked floors, colourful Mexican things hanging on the walls...PERFECT. It is so appropriate. great cocktails and very nice staff. A+!

Well things didn't start off that well when we arrived with a reservation for 2, saw an empty table that stayed empty for 10 minutes while we stood waiting. So I'm well aware the Montreal is far from the best place to get Mexican, and as such am rating this place in that context. I did like the decor and beer selection, but the food was not great. I ordered the fajitas and my friend ordered the chicken tacos. The chicken was quite tender, but it just lacked taste. My friend did like his tacos. I doubt I'll be back here. There are several other Mexican joints I would prefer to try.

This very quaint and ideally located in Lachine away from all the foodie hipsters was just good. I ordered the Gazpatcho to start which was probably the best thing i had. My main dish was the grilled chicken breast in a green Mole sauce with fried black beans and nicely seasoned rice. The service was very good! While Carlos and Pepes it is NOT...it failed to blow me away. I am pretty sure there are better mexican restos to explore in the city but that being said there was nothing bad that stood out....well maybe the $7 lattes!

Order the seafood platter it was delicious the presentation was superb atmosphere great. It seems amazing that you can get such good value again with Quebec high standards of cuisine with such a great view I would highly recommend this place

A great find! Authentic Mexican cuisine, good service and nice decor. We'll be back!

El meson is a top tier restaurant in Lachine. The food is great and the prices are high, but it's still reasonnable. The restaurant is divided in 3 parts : the front terrace, the interior and the back terrace. I prefer the back terrace because it feels like a real mexican terrace and the ambiance is relaxed. Also, the back terrace is large enough for big groups so if you're looking for somewhere that has great ambiance to eat with your whole family, El Meson is a great option. The prices were higher than I expected. You should be ready to pay 20$ for only a main dish and a beverage. You can eat better at a lower price in Montreal, but if you feel like eating Mexican food, this could probably be one of the greatest options. Like I said, the mexican food served at El Meson feels authentic. Their choice of ingredients seems accurate. I ordered a platter of beef mixed with cactus and grilled cheese on the top. It was spicy and very tasty, but a little too salty. I also ordered a mexican berry soda and it was very good. My friends ordered quesadillas and they really liked them, but the portions were small in contrast to my huge beef platter. At the end, this restaurant is a must if you live in Lachine. Go eat there before winter arrives because the back terrace is very fun.

This place is fantastic! Super cozy and authentic. Food is delicious and staff are all very nice!

authentic Mexican restaurant. owned by Mexican family. Service is little bit slow but food is delicious.

Delicious, authentic amazing Mexican can food. I've never eaten Mexican food as good as this. And the service... the nicest people. And our food came fast, and hot! Make sure you stop in here when in Lachine it's worth the trip. I'd give 6 stars if I could.

Amazing! Must try the margaritas! The food and staff make you feel like your down south.

I live nearby this gem of a restaurant. I fell in love with it on my first visit. They serve the typical Mexican fare. The servers are always smiling and pleasant. I usually order the vegetarian burrito, which is not even on the menu. I'm making myself hungry just writing this review. Try this restaurant and you will see for yourself. ;)

Came about an hour before closing time, which I know is awful but I had just gotten off work and was planning on leaving asap (well before the 9pm mark). First, parking took a bit to figure out. Then, from the moment I walked in, I felt very unwelcome. Soon after I was seated, the waiter came to get my order and I asked for a few extra minutes to which he told me that the kitchen closed in 5 minutes...even though the place closed at 9? So I hastily ordered. The entire time I was there, I was never asked about or offered any beverages - not even water. I could just feel that they didn't want me there. There was still an entire hour left before they closed! Nevertheless, as soon as I got my food, I asked for a box and the bill so I could deck out. I'll acknowledge and own up to the fact that it was my mistake for going an hour before they closed but nevertheless, I would not go there again or recommend them, esp after the way I was treated.

Apparently the other reviewers have never had "mexican" food outside of quebec. Otherwise they would know that nothing they serve at this place is even close to being considered mexican food. Service was good, so that's what got them a full two stars instead of one. If you just want some random concoctions of food with sweet sauces, then this is your place.

Wonderful authentic cuisine and ambiance to suit. We ate here on a Wednesday evening, service was a bit slow but the food was well worth it. Prices are a little steep, but given the difficulty in finding authentic Mexican virtually anywhere in Montreal, this was a definite compromise. Would recommend!

Wao! Best mole in town!!!! Amazing service. Little pricy but worth it. Had Enchiladas and nolapito con lomito. Top rated!!!

Solid food. Really authentic and cool atmosphere. This place really is a hidden gem right by the lakeshore!

Fantastic little find! Attentive, friendly, tri-lingual staff. Great views of the river and park if you can sit on the terrace. Great portion sizes, priced well. Don't forget the Sangria!

This was once a must for us when in Lachine, and it's still adequate in most respects, but too many things have slipped in quality. At the same time prices have climbed above what we're used to from other similar restaurants. I don't think we'll be back. Examples: on a visit today, my enchiladas tasted of chicken that had been stored in the fridge for too long after being cooked, while the green mole sauce had little flavour;; my partner asked for beans instead of rice, and received literally a tablespoon of beans. On a previous visit, we ordered guacamole for the table, and it was presented attractively like a flower, with nacho chips as petals. But when we finished the chips, much of the guacamole remained, so we asked for more. The waitress told us no! She explained that the chips served on the plate were all we could have with that dish. We were astonished. On the positive side, although service is stretched and painfully slow, it can be very pleasant if you get the right server. Ours was embarrassed by the stingy bean serving, so he sneaked us an extra order of beans gratis. The other server where we're seated was also charming, checking on us a few times to see if we needed anything. Sadly, nice servers can't really make up for poor management.

My Mexican friends mention that some of the food isn't quite authentic Mexican but that doesn't make it any less fantastic. Everything on the menu is delicious - especially the enchiladas and nachos. Their drinks are top notch and the ambiance is quaint and inviting. It's small though - so reserve on a busy night like Friday or Saturday! The Customer Service is always amazing too! Try the terrace in the summer.

It was a beautiful sunny day so my daughter and I decided to walk down to the canal area in Lachine from her home and have a nice lunch. We opted for El Meson because we both like Mexican food and I had never been there. While waiting for our table inside, we sat on the porch and were served a nice pitcher of White Sangria and 2 glasses of plain water as requested. Our server was friendly and prompt. Once our table was ready, we went inside and ordered our lunch. We both ordered a cold Gazpacho to start and for the main course I had delicious Quesadilla with Red Snapper and my daughter a cold Shrimp Salad on Avocado. Both meals were excellent and unfortunately we had no room left for dessert. Maybe next time - as I will definitely go back another day. They have a nice outside courtyard in the back, where several other diners were enjoying their meals. The washroom was tiny but immaculately clean.

I'm a fan. Good food, home style atmosphere and great in the summer for sangria and guacamole!

It's not perfect BUT this is probably the best most authentic mexican food place in all of Montreal. Service is always very friendly and helpful and the food is delicious.