El Mariachi Restaurant And Bar

THE BEST IN TUSCALOOSA! Great service and food! Margarita was amazing. Food portions are huge! Menu is large and has options for all. Server was extremely friendly

Everything was delicious! Definitely get the guacamole; it's very fresh. Also, the food was inexpensive and the service was phenomenal.

Chicken shrimp is my favorite! It's like the fajita gumbo jalapeño's. But better. There salsa is amazing, has a lot of flavor! They also have specials everyday.

Diner from McCalla, AL. My co-worker and I accidently discovered this restaurant at lunch one day recently when Captain D's was packed to the doors. Don't let the lack of cars out front deter you from going in to eat. Several attempts at a successful restaurant have been made at this location and they failed. It could be ease of entry and departure that have undermined their success or it could be they just weren't any good. If you go around to the back you will find it much easier to gain access and to exit. Once in, the décor is typical Mexican, brightly colored with Mariachi music in the background, several TVs positioned around the room. The three times we have been there, we were greeted and seated promptly and made to feel most welcome. Chips and salsa arrived quickly and stood up very favorably to other nearby Mexican restaurants. The salsa is slightly thicker than most with just the right amount of heat. On the first visit I tried the taco, enchilada, rice and beans. The taco meat was well seasoned, white cheese melted on it and the tortilla was crunchy, not too greasy. Beef enchilada was tasty and not drowned in cheese while the rice and beans were good although quite honestly, I don't usually eat much of the sides and these were not distinguishable as being better than average. My friend gave her burrito supreme two thumbs up (because her mouth was full). At the end of the meal two complimentary sopapillas appeared. Second visit I ordered #17 on the lunch menu. Ground Beef Chimichanga served with rice, beans, guacamole and sour cream. Fried decadence! Crispy chimichanga, well seasoned beef, again, the other items were quite acceptable but not remarkable. My friend tried their taco salad and proclaimed it better than the one at the place we frequented before finding El Mariachi. I particularly like the fact that they chop the tomatoes which the other place does not. Again the sopapilla appeared at the end. Today we went for our third visit. Immediately we noticed more people there for lunch which may mean people are finally beginning to discover this little gem. I ordered #20 which consisted of a chili relleno, what I consider the gold standard at any Mexican restaurant because it is my favorite Mexican dish, a chicken flauta, and taco (no rice and beans this time). I had them add guacamole for a small additional charge...because I like it. First let me say they passed my Chili Relleno test with flying colors. The pepper was properly coated and fried, I could see this because, like the enchilada, it was NOT drowned in cheese. The sauce was darker than most I have had which turned out to lend it a rich, smoky flavor quite to my liking. Expecting disappointment with the chicken in the flauta, I was totally surprised when it was moist, not shredded but more like sliced tenders and muy tasty! Again, the taco was good and the sopapilla came as anticipated. The staff is VERY friendly and attentive; prices are reasonable. We will be making this a regular stop for lunch and will be rooting for them to make a success where none have succeeded before!

My girlfriend and I come here almost every night after classes. The food is awesome especially the chicken fajitas and enchilada dinner. Moreover, the staff are nice and they do their job very well. Although some may find the restaurant to look a bit sketchy from the outside, the inside is quaint and the atmosphere is nice and relatively quiet with only some music played over the speakers. Overall, I would highly recommend this restaurant as it is some of the best Mexican in Tuscaloosa.