El Potro Mexican Restaurant
3396 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329
El Potro Mexican Restaurant Menu
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Appetizers
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Salads
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Tortas
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Shrimp Specialties
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Vegetarian Dinners
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Desserts
Healthy Meal suggestions for El Potro Mexican Restaurant
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Appetizers
-
Salads
-
Tortas
-
Shrimp Specialties
-
Vegetarian Dinners
-
Desserts
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Address :
3396 Buford Hwy NE
Atlanta, GA, 30329 - Phone (404) 325-9312
- Website https://elpotrorestaurant.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Kathy W.
So I LOVE El Potro for one main reason (and a couple of other not-as-important ones): $17 pitchers of tasty margarita goodness. I mean come on, $17!!! The queso is standard yet tasty, and if you get the guac make sure to specify the fresh one. It's chunky pieces of avocado goodness with tomatoes, onions, and jalapeños mixed in. I usually stick with the apps and drinks there and only order from the veggie menu so I can't speak to the flavors of the meats there, although my boyfriend has always been very happy with the big potro burrito. (And the fact that they have Valencia hot sauce!) The service isn't the speediest, most attentive, etc, but they're nice and for a laid back Mexican restaurant where I usually go to spend some time hanging out, that's not a huge deal breaker for me. For prices this cheap and food & drinks this good I don't mind getting up to ask for something if I need it. Plus the patio is pretty great!
(5)Bahn Mi A.
This is a qualified 5 start rating. This is a bit of a dive. Know that coming in. It is very good authentic Mexican and a very authentic Mexican bar atmosphere - which means no frills. If you are into that kind of thing then by all means , come and enjoy. If you are not - stick to the chain restaurants - this will not be for you.
(5)Jeff H.
Food is really good only bad is that the dude at the register rings in prices of hand written check been over charged twice just sayin
(4)Adam S.
The service was some of the worst I have ever experienced. You asked three people for a simple napkin, they all say yes and not one comes back. They screwed up all three of our orders. And didn't even apologize for the mistake. I ordered beef and got chicken, my buddy ordered chicken burrito with cheese sauce on top, they gave him a chorizo burrito and no cheese sauce... I don't know how they even did that.. And then my other buddy ordered chimichangas with beef, and they gave him chicken. Our waiter... What waiter. He came by to take our order and drop off the food that was wrong. We had no silverware so once our food came, we had to wait another 10 min to get a fork.. Once again, after asking some bus boys for silverware and them saying yes, and never returning. And the food. Nothing special. Sauce was bland and most likely prepackaged, and the meat was unseasoned and dry. The salsa was watery and had a bit of spice in it. No chunks of tomatoes and onions, it was just a soup. Probably also pre packaged. Don't go here. Go somewhere else. Trust me. I will NEVER return. Give this place a F. I wouldn't spend a dime there. And neither should you. Plenty else to choose from! Anyone can make good food. It's good service that brings me back. And if the service is terrible, my business is gone.
(1)Thomas L.
El Potro is a no frills Mexican place that you expect on Buford Hwy. When you enter the place, it's very bare bones, it almost feels like a Mexican version of a diner with beer signs and cafeteria style tables scattered around the place. As with many Mexican restaurants, you get chips and salsa for free at the start, which you might be munching on for awhile trying to make sense of the huge selection of menu options. El Potro pretty much gives you a combination of any of the traditional Menu options, burrito, fajitas, tacos with rice and beans. The lunch menu is a good deal, cost wise it is only be $5 or 6 dollars for 10-15 selections. The go to food for me is the chimichanga, its very greasy with cheese, but with rice it is very addictive as Mexican comfort food. The other dishes are pretty much standard Mexican fare, you won't get a definitive flavor profile from most of the food besides lots of cheese and rice, but you will get full eating there. Service is fairly quick, when I go with my coworkers I usually can get in and out within 1 hour without major issues. Overall, not a bad option for cheap during lunch, but not something I'd want to spend money on for dinner.
(3)Sara S.
This is my favorite authentic Mexican restaurants in the ATL. Ambiance could be improved, parking isn't fun. But the salsa rocks, and the waiters are very kind. It's quick too.
(4)Belinda P.
Great food, great drinks, lord have mercy, the drinks are off the chain. Great customers everyone was very inviting, made some Mexican friends, great staff. I will definitely be back.
(5)Felix C.
This seems to have reached a certain popularity which mystifies me since the food isn't great. I had heard good things so we came here a total of three times and never had any great food. What's particularly sad is that there are many great Mexican restaurants along Buford Highway. We've had everything from tacos to tamales to fajitas and did not thing it a great experience. The food was only warmish and not particularly flavorful.
(3)Diedre R.
Most times the office orders lunch from here and someone is designated to go and pick it up for all of us, so I have never eaten inside the restaurant. I will say my experience is slightly above average. It is nothing spectacular, but generally when we call they say the food will be ready in 10 minutes regardless of what we order and we have never arrived and the food was not ready or we had to wait for it to come out the kitchen. The people that take the orders over the phone and working the register are always friendly and smiling, so that also a plus. I'll pass on the salsa, but never on the queso with jalapenos. They also have a queso with meat in it. I've never tried that. 8 times outta ten, I get the chicken soup, but always reqeust extra chicken, as most times its one chunk of chicken in a 64oz cup of broth, carrots, celery and some rice that I never get til I'm practically at the bottom of the cup. They also give you a mixture of cilantro , onions, lime wedge and avocado. This ups the flavor of the soup 100 times and I'm really pissed when the person selected to go pick up does not make sure this mixture is in the bag when they bring the food back. Overall, its cheap and fast and that exactly what you need on a 30 minute lunch break.
(2)Reema R.
Good service and quick. Food was variable based on the dish. The torta was below average but the tamale was above average.
(3)Maggie B.
Fantastic fajitas for 2 for only $17.99 I really don't need to say anything else. ... but Yelp is insisting that I bore you all with more words on your screen, so I'll say this.. Everything I've tried is great, whether you prefer it American or traditional. Fantastic service.
(5)Brett H.
I've been going to this place for 25 years. It's always been very good, but today's experience was pretty bad. The salsa was lame and bland. Salsa, IMO, sets the entire table. I told my waiter that it had no jalapinoes, and without looking he said, "Oh it's in there. It probably sunk to the bottom." It was tomato sauce. I had the burrito lunch and like I said, without the salsa, it was bland as well. It's such a simple thing. After eating there for 25 years, I think I know a little about their food, but my comment was dismissed. Plenty of other great places on Buford Hwy to go for Mexican. I'm hoping it was just a bad day. I might give them another chance to get back to their 4/5 rating. Might.
(2)Erin S.
I love this place! My go to Mexican restaurant in Brookhaven. The food is great, the staff is super friendly, and it's overall a great experience every time.
(5)Alexandria S.
Easily my favorite Mexican place I've found in Atlanta! Definitely a hole in the wall/dive but a great one at that. The fresh, chunky guacamole is phenomenal and the salsa is great. They also have the best chicken enchiladas I've had in a long time. Ask for the trio of salsas, it's a great addition for your meal!
(5)Stephanie M.
I came here for one of Daniel B. UYE's for the first time a few months ago and the one thing that stood out was the Mexican Guacamole chunky style. After adding a squeeze of lime & some of the the salsa that was on the table (for heat) those of us sitting at the table were pretty happy eating just this. Months later - after looking at apartments all day realized I hadn't eaten when a woman who was sitting on the other side of a desk pointed out that my stomach was "playing lots of music" basically playing a sad symphony of emptiness. After interviewing with her & apologizing it was time to leave and eat then I remember El Potro was around the corner, guacamole here I come. There are plenty of specials to choose from, still not certain try the ala carte menu that way you can try whatever you want. The shrimp quesadillas is worth checking out it will actually come out as a plate this was an unexpected surprise & it had so many shrimp inside that they were actually falling out of the tortilla. The check for a side of fresh guacamole & a shrimp quesadilla will only set you back $10.11 would I go out of my way to eat here "no" but if I was in the area "yes" you cant beat the prices and the portions are large.
(3)Carter N.
I have eaten here and ordered take out from here multiple times due to all the other great reviews, but I just don't feel the same. I feel like this is some pretty average greasy Mexican food in a dirty nasty building with average service. I have been back due to the cheap prices and ease of ordering take out. If you get anything go with the chicken fajitas. It's enough for more than one meal and fairly priced. margaritas are mehhhh.
(2)John S.
I Ike the food but in desperate need of a new A/C system! 83 inside! Very uncomfortable. In general, it's good food at good prices.
(2)Earle H.
I would give this place 3.5 stars if that were an option. Good place for reasonably priced, authentic Mexican food. I had the chicken and beef combo flautas and a shrimp dish that I cannot remember the name of. The shrimp was prepared very well; tender yet flavorful. The flautas were good. I also ordered a margarita pitcher on the rocks. While the pitcher is a generous portion and the flavor was okay, it could have used a little more tequila. Overall, I enjoyed my food and was happy that I had some to take home for the next day but I think I need to order a few more dishes before I come to a final conclusion and maybe lean closer to a 4-star rating versus 3-stars, but for now my rating stands.
(3)Lorne F.
My family has always told me that I had my first solid food here. Now, I don't know how true that is, but I do know that I have been going to El Potro with my family for as long as I can remember. Now, as adult living in downtown, I still drive my friends down to buford highway for this tasty treat. Love the service, love the feel of the restaurant, and I absolutely love the food. Sometimes, I wish the menu wasn't so overwhelmingly large, but then on the other hand, it's so much fun that even after all the years of coming here, I have something new to try every time. I'll see you guys next time I'm gathering with my family! Gracias!
(5)Mary Locke M.
While I do love Buford Highway foot massages, I'm just not adventurous enough to become a BuHi foodie. Now with that disclaimer, I'm going to throw it out there that El Potro is my favorite restaurant on Buford Highway. El Potro is your standard stereotypical Mexican restaurant, which is a good thing. It's kind of run down. The place is decorated in red, white, and green and has some fabulously tacky red vinyl booths. It's pretty much your run of the mill Mexican restaurant that can be found anywhere in America - nothing too special but also guaranteed to never disappoint. It's incredibly affordable. You get a lot of food for $7-8. The combo specials, margaritas y queso es muy bueno (that's about all I have retained from college Spanish lit a decade later). Service is prompt. English is minimal. El Potro has a far more authentic, less Americanized feel than a lot of Mexican restaurants in Atlanta. It's the dining equivalent of a gateway drug on Buford Highway. If you're not adventurous enough for a true culinary experience but want to say you ate on BuHi, then El Potro is a great start. Yo quiero El Potro.
(3)Garrison E.
The more I eat here the more I enjoy it. The cheese dip is always on point. And the service is fairly quick. The fajita quesadilla is normally my go-to menu item, but I decided to try the Mexican shrimp instead. It came with beans, rice, and corn tortillas. It was so damn delicious. El Potro is a solid restaurant.
(4)Michelle B.
I didnt even care for Mexican food until I encountered El Potro. Best Mexican restaurant in the city!
(5)Lync H.
The salsa tasted like spiced ketchup... Wasn't made there at all. I ordered the Mexican Chili Fries for an app, it was so bland and boring that neither of us took more than 2 bites. They fries weren't salted, and the chili had no flavour at all. Also, it barely had cheese on it. Photo lead to believe there would be a good bit more. We both had the Chicken Fajita Nachos. Smaller portion than most places for the amount we spent. Chicken was rather dry, peppers barely cooked, and no cheese, only queso. Not that impressed with this place, and i LOVE Mexican food.
(2)Ari A.
Great authentic mexican food. Best I've had in the Atlanta area. Nothing fancy just great food, fast and friendly service. The drinks are great too.
(5)Jillian M.
The service was good and the food came out so fast! Free chips and salsa and the food was delicious. I had a shrimp quesadilla with the guacamole salad and my friend had chicken enchiladas. Both were really good and fairly cheap. The house margaritas left something to be desired. The didn't taste all that great, but they were strong. Good place for cheap but delicious Mexican food.
(4)Adilene B.
I went one day and I had the enchiladas the were good and I really enjoyed them
(3)Luka S.
Food is ok, drinks are a bit weak but the place is very inexpensive, specially if you go during the lunch special.
(3)Tuong Vi P.
I came here for Daniel B.'s BuHi UYE and was quite excited, since I checked out Jose O.'s review prior to arriving. When I got there (a few minutes late), I found that parking was nearly an issue, as I was pulling into the second to last open spot, right as Jennifer H. was taking the only parking space left. Welp, at least we could park there. As I entered the premises with Jennifer, I noticed that the building was on the older side. No worries for me, as I have eaten in worse conditions. For me, aesthetics do not determine the deliciousness of an establishment's fare. I found our huge party in separate booths and felt my heart sink. I was hoping to sit at a long table, to be able to chat with as many Yelpers as possible. Daniel informed me that he had called the night before and made reservations. There appeared to be a space that could have accommodated us. But alas, we had to sit at different tables (I think 6 or so). Actually, now I recall that Daniel was running tardy as well, since he encountered traffic on the way. So we were the last of our party to be seated and we had to wait a bit for someone to come bring us water, chips, salsa, and take our order. I was set on my tacos: chorizo, carne asada, and carnitas. I could tell he was disappointed when our server told us that lengua and cabeza could not be had that evening. I am still skeptical about eating body parts that are not preferred by the general public (though you can read about my trying beef heart at Costa Verde) so I was completely a-okay with the missing options. The chips and salsa that were brought to the table were mediocre. The salsa was pretty good but I felt that the chips might have been slightly stale. I asked for my tacos to be cloaked in corn tortillas, and they were brought out just as requested. As Daniel has already stated, nothing comes atop the meat. Usually, onions and cilantro are sprinkled on top. I'm not the biggest fan of raw onions, so this was actually a welcome surprise. But I would have liked some cilantro on my tacos... Thankfully, these ingredients were later brought out, along with different salsas. I also had a plate of iceberg lettuce to top my tacos with. Which I think was a Godsend, as the meat was too salty and slight dry. The crispy lettuce with salsa made my tacos better. We paid at the register and the people at the register were really gracious in their handling of our separate checks. I didn't hate the experience, but I have tried better Mexican places. You will have to try this out for yourself.
(3)Hillary H.
Love the fajitas, love the waiters. Only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 is because it is a little run down and seating is awkward. We have always enjoyed ourselves and the food at el Potro!! It is our go to Mexican restaurant for sure.
(4)Chuck B.
I tend to have a craving for this place and its food a lot! Always consistent and very authentic. Love!
(4)Monica J.
Prices are super cheap, service is fast, and it's pretty authentic. Nothing fancy, but you will always leave satisfied! The a la carte menu is also great if you just want a few things to nibble on. Chips and salsa are always fresh too!
(5)Daniel B.
El Potro is a Mexican restaurant on Buford Highway (ITP) just north of the Briarwood intersection. This restaurant was recommended to me by Dio S. and Jose O. Jose wrote a glowing, 5-star review of this place. El Potro seems to be one of the more popular Mexican restaurants on Buford Highway. There are actually several El Potro locations across Georgia and Florida. It's an authentic and affordable Mexican restaurant. The restaurant has been around for a long time and the building is showing its age. Parts of it look downtrodden and beaten down. The air conditioning system has seen better days. The atmosphere is very much relaxed and casual. There's a small bar, TVs, and indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor seating is underneath a covered patio, ideal when the weather is nice. To my dismay, there is no salsa bar. El Potro's menu has a lot to offer. Some sections look just like your typical Mexican or Americanized Mexican menu with lunch and dinner combinations of tacos, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, chile rellenos, etc. with rice and beans. The specials are more interesting with entrees like steak, fish, Mexican stew (with beef tips), and chilaquiles (tortillas simmered with meats, cheese, and sauces). If you like shrimp, they've got a multitude of shrimp specialties. Lunch specials are about $5-6 and most dinner entrees are under $10. A good value. The tacos here are traditional Mexican tacos. Taco meat options include lengua (tongue), carnitas (braised pork), carne asada (steak), cabeza (head, of what animal I do not know), chorizo (pork sausage), pescado (fish), camaron (shrimp), and pollo asado (marinated Mexican chicken). Tacos are only $1.75 each except for the fish and shrimp tacos ($2.50 each). Unfortunately, lengua and cabeza are only available on the weekends. Boo. If the tiny El Taco Veloz shack can stock it (and more) seven days a week, why can't a full service restaurant like El Potro? Tacos come in either corn or flour tortillas. The corn tortilla tacos are double layer and the flour tortilla tacos are single player. I prefer the smoother texture of the flour tortillas to the grainier and more brittle consistency of the corn tortillas. Just a personal preference. I've tried a variety of the taco meats including the carnitas, carne asada, chorizo, and pescado. The results are mediocre. In general, the meats seem to be either old, overcooked, or overseasoned. And by overseasoned, I mean way too salty. Some to the point of nearing inedibility. I won't go so far as to say the tacos are terrible, though. The tacos are served "naked" with only the soft tortilla shell and the meat. You add the extra ingredients yourself. If a server doesn't bring you the condiments, you'll have to request them. The condiment tray includes three jars: one with chopped onion and cilantro and two with various mildly spicy salsas (one green, one red/brown). I think this condiment tray is essential. You can also ask for typical "American" taco ingredients, such as lettuce and tomato, on the side. The onion and cilantro are fresh and the salsas are savory. They add much needed texture and flavor to the tacos, balancing out the boldness of the meats. Speaking of meats, the meat portions are quite generous. Kudos to El Potro for not skimping on the main (and most expensive) ingredient! The pescado taco is a bit peculiar as it simply consists of large fish filets on a tortilla. Hopefully, you'll get a fresh piece of fish without the fishy taste and smell. Though you may not encounter any, still be cautious of small bones. Service is generally good. El Potro is appropriately staffed to handle the demand in both the number of servers and number of cooks. Separating checks is easy since payment is made at the register. Credit cards are accepted. Sufficient parking is available directly outside.
(3)Heather N.
Sitting on the patio with a cool breeze right before a torrential downpour with cheap drink in hand and crispy chips on the table=a quintessential experience. Wait...that salsa sucks. Thankfully, I asked for a spicy one that redeemed the watery, tomato sauce lameness. Chicken/steak quality is mediocre, but carnitas are decent. My tablemate's soup looked good. I'd get that with a carnitas taco next time. The jumbo margaritas are bigger than your head. Might want to stick with a half pitcher. Just call this place hangover haven. I like the soccer shirts all the servers wear. Zippy. Cheers~
(3)Arpan S.
To begin with, salsa served with chips was pre packaged. I expect fresh salsa from a Mexican restaurant. I ordered the burrito, enchilada, taco combo for dinner. Again, the sauce on burrito was pre package. It just ruins the taste of something that is already not tasty. The enchilada grilled green peppers. I don't expect green peppers in my enchiladas. The taco again had grilled green peppers and no beans. This makes it a very dry taco. Overall not one item was upto the mark.
(1)Andrew W.
I visited El Potro to take part in Daniel B.'s UYE here on June 12. My impression of this place is an old Mexican dive that has seen better days. Sometimes, these kinds of places are the best for finding extraordinary food. Finding that the restaurant was ill-prepared to accommodate the numbers of Yelpers arriving here for this event, we piled into about five or six of their standard 4-seat booths along a narrow section of the restaurant near the restrooms. There, our drink orders were taken and we were given our standard complimentary chips and salsa. Of course, with our large party, the drink orders got mixed up. The chips and salsa were average and completely forgettable. My wife, who had ordered a frozen margarita, noted that it tasted of that syrupy margarita mix. I placed an order for one of their burrito specials - two chicken burritos smothered in nacho cheese sauce. My wife ordered a flauta and chimichanga combo special. Again, the waiter got our food orders mixed up. When our food orders were straightened out... I wolfed down my burritos quickly, which were good, but nothing extraordinary. My wife had similar perceptions of her food - good, but not great. We waited in line to pay our check up at the front counter, which with our large numbers, took about five minutes to get through. All in all, I'd say that El Potro was rather average. Average food for an average price. With all of the other options available in the metro-Atlanta area, this place gets lost in the shuffle. Aside from meeting new Yelp friends, this restaurant experience was rather forgettable.
(3)Matt T.
Holy shit! I just had the carnitas and This dish is probably the best carnitas i've ever had... Ever. I highly recommend trying this.
(4)Brooke B.
Our diamond in the rough. We go here once a week. The servers are so friendly, service is fast, and the prices are so affordable. I saw a couple reviews complaining about the salsa but I've always loved it. Veggie quesadillas are yummy. My husband gets the burrito and it's a ton of food for your money. If you like pork (aka "carnitas"), get pork on anything, it is SO good there. Texas margaritas will make you feel fantastic. Keep it simple with what you order & you'll be happy.
(4)Jose O.
I think El Potro is my new go to spot for Mexican! Whenever I try a new Mexican restaurant I just get a whole bunch of tacos. I do this to try out as many of the meats as possible. Currently my experience with El Potro is limited to just take out but I was still blown away with what I got. I ordered 8 tacos 2 Carne Asada, 2 Carnitas, 2 Pollo, and 2 Chorizo. Now I was able to place the order relatively quickly but the food did take longer than I would have liked to get prepared. This didn't bother me too much but I was starting to wonder what was going on but just then I got my food. When I was handed the large brown paper bag with my food in it I noticed it was bit heavier than I expected it to be. Anyway, I got my food and headed out to get some beer on the way back home. When I finally got around to opening the bag I found out why the bag was heavier than i expected. There was a relatively large bag of tortilla chips! Followed by the tacos and lastly 3 pretty sizable containers of a red spicy salsa, a milder green salsa, and a cilantro and onion mix. Most restaurants don't give you enough of the condiments for your meal but this isn't the case at EL Potro. After we were done there was still enough salsa for another meal. Now the meat in the tacos was good. The Chorizo was spicy and went well with the green salsa. The Carne Asada and Pollo was what I expected. Lastly the Carnitas was some of the best in the area and shredded so it didn't have any giant clumps in it (very important to me). Now overall the food was probably about 4 stars but I will give it the 5th star because they had put some thought into my dining experience at home.
(5)Amanda L.
Great menu-very fast service! Best margaritas-order the Texas Margs,well worth it!! Place was packed on a Friday night. Table salsa had a nice kick to it. Great atmosphere to enjoy a late dinner with friends or family. I'd go back if I lived here for sure!!
(5)Yasmin F.
I'm Mexican and this is authentic Mexican, not tex-mex like most places. Can't get any better!
(5)Ken R.
Always have had great experiences here. Food is delicious, well-priced and comes to your table in no time at all. The servers and wait staff are also very efficient. This is a great place to have Mexican food with friends or for a casual business lunch. While it does have a good patio, El Potro gets bonus points for it's clean and rather charming dining room.
(4)Lauren A.
Thank God for El Potro. We live less than a half mile and this was luckily one of the first mexican places we found. This is the first place I've found on Buford with the authentic atmosphere AND the quality food. The cheese dip is good and the margaritas are tasty but with a kick. My go to here is the shrimp quesadilla fajita. The shrimp are always good quality (trust me you CAN go wrong) and the peppers/onions/cheese combo is always perfect. Don't pass this place up - and don't leave valuables in the car :/
(4)Jenny D.
I pass this place every day and notice the place is always packed so I decided not check it out. Parking easy enough they have their own lot. Sorry no valet parking in this part of town. They have a outdoor section but we sat inside because it was a typical hot and humid Atlanta night. We were immediately greeted by a friendly host at the register. Maybe not really a true host but a guy by the entrance behind a cash register, like a diner. He gave a friendly greeting and told us we could sit where ever we wanted. We picked our seat and our waiter brought us menus and chips and salsa quickly. Chips and salsa are typical, not stale like someone else mentioned. The salsa was fine nothing fancy. We immediately looked at the drink menu and smiled to see a margaritas are $4 or $5.50 if you want it flavored like mango or strawberry. My husband ordered the he claasic and I ordered the mango. Both very good drinks. The prices for the food is great. I ordered one of the dinner combos with a chicken enchilada, beef chili releno and rice and beans. The entree was 8.50, wow! My husband ordered #25 which we forgot the name of the meal but it was basically some sort of sampler. It came with a tamale, Chile releno, enchilada, taco, rice and beans and a small salad with guacamole dressing. All that for $10.50. We both enjoyed our meals and can understand why the place is always busy. Good food and great prices. I can't say its the best Mexican I've ever had but it is still good. Its like eating someone's home cooked meal. No fancy presentation or special twist to make the meal different. If your looking for that go to midtown or buckhead and pay twice as much. If you want simple but good come here. Oh and the servers were also very good and friendly. We'll be back! Total meal with 2 entrees and Margarita was $38 and change including tax. We tippd slightly over 20% for the good service.
(4)Roger B.
I have been coming here for the last 4 years (usually on Friday nights). This is my favorite Mexican restaurant. The carnitas are awesome! I also love the chimichangas. The beef and chicken soups are so good. Has lots of fresh veggies and meat. Beware of the giant margaritas! They will knock you off your feet! The price is good and the service is fast and friendly.
(5)Brittiany M.
Very favorite and easy to go to Mexican in Brookhaven! it used to be Buford Highway's best kept secret, but now it seems as if people have found out. Nevertheless, please try this out! You won't be disappointed!
(4)Christin K.
I went to El Potro for Daniel B's UYE. It's easily accessible, I took 85 and took the access road next to REI. The parking lot is a little crammed but not too bad. I tried some guacamole dip, which is really fresh and good. It's chunky and you can tell there are real guacamole's in there (ehem, some other places ehem) I decided on the carne asada Torta. It was really big and came with a side of fries, which was definitely a lot of food that i couldn't finish. It was pretty standard, nothing fancy. I wish I'd gotten some flautas but trying to resist the urge for fried foods.. so difficult... There wasn't much AC in the back section we were sitting in, so it got a little hot in there. However, the rest of the restaurant was ventilated better and much cooler. It's a little older place, but it seems you get a good value on the food. I'd definitely try some other things. Oh and the servers are cute and nice.
(3)Addy C.
Extensive menu and probably one of the best priced Mexican restaurants, esp. for dinner specials that include entree, rice, & beans. Based on two visits and trying friends' dishes - I'd say the favorite by far is the CHICKEN FAJITA QUESADILLA. Very flavorful chicken w/ peppers, onions, cheese - also came w/ rice, beans, guac, lettuce & tomatoes. Generous portion - all for just $6.95. Highly recommended. Other dishes: CHIMICHANGA & FLAUTA - $7.25 Should've known better not to order deep-fried anything b/c of my high cholesterol but did so for the love of Yelp and hearing how good it was :) No surprise, mostly deep-fried tortilla & little meat. Got the chimichanga w/ beef tips, and the flauta w/ chicken ... been there, done that, no reason to get it again. SHRIMP QUESADILLA - $6.75 Keep in mind this quesadilla isn't shrimp fajita so toppings were just shrimp & cheese. I thought the shrimp was tasty but friends thought it tasted bland - guess the seasonings weren't evenly distributed. Shrimp wasn't deveined either :( No rice & beans - you're definitely getting more bang for the buck w/ the Chicken Fajita Quesadilla. MENUDO (grande size) - $8.95 Friend was craving "hangover soup" - I'd never heard of Menudo (other than the boy band) and assumed hangover soup might be Mexican chicken soup (my idea of comfort food). Couldn't be further from the truth. According to wiki, it's a red chili-based soup w/ tripe, honeycomb, and "librillo" stomach beef meat along with the beef feet and tendons. It looked & tasted as gross as it sounds. My friend thought it was pretty good. Apparently so did the other customers - my friend said he noticed several other customers also eating the Menudo soup. So ... if like Menudo (not the boy band), this might be the place to check it out :) TACO SPECIAL #48 - $6.25 Two friends had gotten this dish which included 1 carnitas taco and 1 carne asado taco. Didn't get to sample it but 1 person really liked it, the other thought it was just ok. Service was friendly, quick, & attentive. They also opened early for us - they don't open until 11:30am but opened early for us since we arrived 11:15 :) Overall 3.5 stars. I'd definitely come back for their Chicken Fajita Quesadilla. FYI - they're located in a standalone building, next to Papa John's, and across the street from Auto Zone.
(3)Jenny L.
We lived less than a half mile from this location for 5 years and never tried it! The patio is fantastic when the weather is nice like it was last night. The crowd is mixed from young Brookhaven folks to rowdy blue collar peeps. The service was fast and the food came out even faster. It's pretty standard Mexican fare with a very LARGE menu of combinations. Basically if you can think up a combo they probably have it. I also appreciate that they do not fry their chile rellenos so you can actually taste the poblano pepper! The margaritas were okay, but for the price it was a pretty good value because they were inexpensive...under $6 if my memory serves me correctly. Overall it is a pretty solid place that feels pretty authentic. We will likely return.
(3)Raquel P.
Not good, probably one of the worse Mexican food places I've ever experienced....definitely not authentic Mexican food done lazy style. I got a taco dorado in a Taco Bell shell!!! Never coming back
(1)Hannah I.
We have moved away from Atlanta, but having recently joined Yelp, I felt the need to put in a good word for our fave Mexican restaurant in the city. It's great, the prices are reasonable, and the people are nice. Sometimes the service could be a little better, but it's not lacking enough to take off a star. (Because most times the service is great. All depends on who you get and when you're there.) If you like queso smothered Mexican (which is popular in Midwest/Southeast), this should be your Atlanta place.
(4)John E.
While inelegant, this neighborhood Mexican restaurant has been a regular haunt of ours since first introduced to me by my friend, Logan Gray. It's on Buford Hwy but closer to town which makes it super convenient, especially after doing some shopping at REI (if you turn on the street to the right of REI on the I85 access road, go all the way to Buford Hwy and turn right - the restaurant is almost immediately to the left). I think we originally came here for the margaritas and then discovered that the food was just fine - your typical schwag Mex, it's nothing authentic, but good in that Americanized way, slightly spicy, heavy portions and super cheap. Lunch with water as cheap as $5-6 or you can splurge on some of the dinner offerings. The chips are always fresh and crunchy and the salsa is slightly chunky and slightly spicier than most Tex-mex places I've visited. The staff here are super friendly, know the food and speak English well - the outdoor seating is covered so you can enjoy even a rainy night outside. While we don't visit often (more like 1-3 times a year), it's been very consistent for us and I'm talking about visiting at odd times. I usually get the burrito, enchilada and taco, all chicken as a dinner, or sometimes swing for the chicken fajitas. The food comes out almost immediately and is piping hot, fresh and not dry at all (the bane of most chicken dishes served ala Mex).
(4)Adrianne R.
Best margaritas! I would go back
(4)Valerie N.
LOVE IT. Cheap, yummy Mexican eats = mi favorito! Lunch fajitas for $6.50 (steak, grilled veggies, beans, guac!) while sitting on the breezy yet shaded patio? The best way I know to kill my lunch hour! How relaxing! Mega bonus- INCREDIBLY friendly staff. These folks seem so happy to work here! I loved practicing my espanol with this guys - very fun! Overall, you won't find a full service Mexican restaurant priced any better than this on Buford Highway. I mean, $6.50 for lunch fajitas so you know all the other combos are in the $4 mark. I found the food on par with Pancho's, which is double the price. El Potro is definitely worth it for the cheap, tasty eats plus the patio! Loved the cheese dip, guac, and salsa. I did notice the food, while very flavorful, is quite bland in terms of spicy-ness, which might be great for most gringos, but for me, I like it muy caliente. Its an easy fix though - I just need to get hot sauce next time. Quick, tasty, cheap eats with the friendliest staff around! Arriba!!!
(4)John O.
As residents of Brookhaven, my wife and I are frequent visitors of El Potro. While the ambiance and setting is less than impressive, the food is authentic. On top of that the prices are very reasonable. The service is excellent, too! On most occasions, our food has arrived within minutes of ordering. And don't forget the margaritas! Order a pitcher and you receive not only the pitcher, but full classes as well. I would recommend this place to anyone in the area.
(4)Bryce S.
Tasty food! Inexpensive. Need I say more?? OK... always packed. Muey Bueno!
(4)Dustin H.
Even though I came in hopeful this would be a good experience, it was unfortunately TERRIBLE! I don't know if it was just because they were overwhelmed because another nearby Mexican restaurant (that we were initially planning on going to) was closed for renovations or what, but the service was horrid. First, they had let someone steal our tables that we had reserved on the patio. Thankfully they did make them get up and move. It then took them almost 20-30 minutes before they even took our order for margaritas and queso. It then took another 15 before they actually brought the pitcher our to us. When they brought my fajitas, it took them 10+ minutes to bring out the tortillas...which were wrong (I'd ordered corn)...so then it took another 10 minutes for them to bring the correct ones. The margariats were hit and miss, some pitchers had almost too much tequila (if there is such a thing) while others tasted like there was way too much sugary mix in it. I could go on about this place's failures, but I will now end my complaint of this place which I will never return to!
(1)Jordán H.
This is what I call AUTHENTIC MEXICAN. I have never left this place unsatisfied. The service is really good and efficient. the food is really good and really well-priced. a couple can have their fill and then some for under $30. They have very budget-friendly lunch combos and alcohol prices that can pass for an all-day happy hour. Another thing I like about this place is that their tacos are all one price and you can pretty much fill up on two or three of them since they pile the meat on them. I may sound biased and that's probable because I am. So far, there has not been a Mexican restaurant in Atlanta that's as authentic or that can in any way hold a candle to this one. Heck. I'm going there again tonight!
(5)Angie F.
Truthfully horrible. I have been to some bad Mexican places but this place takes the cake. First the cheese dip is soupy and bland, and overpriced. The guacamole is a mushy, soupy, green mess. The chips are hard as rocks, and it was painful to eat them. OH and the salsa had a hair in it!! The table was filthy and so were the booth seats. I got a water to drink, and they didn't even bother to put ice in it. We ordered margaritas that we never got so unfortunately I cannot comment on that. I almost left as soon as I saw the health score.. And I wish I would have! I will say it was packed on a Saturday during lunchtime, but for the life of me I cannot fathom why?! I will never be going back, and if you're reading this KEEP LOOKING FOR ANOTHER MEXICAN RESTAURANT!
(1)Vrishank R.
Visited this place for the first time on Cinco de Mayo last year. Have been a fan since! The camarones ala diabla is one of their best and spiciest dishes on the menu (careful with the red peppers in them). The chicken and shrimp fajitas and shrimp quesadilla are tasty too. The margaritas pack a punch - pretty strong and tasty!!
(3)Robley R.
It was tasty, but nothing special.
(3)Dan H.
We like the food here and keep going back. Authentic Mexican food and cheap. They use are so many servers that it is never hard to find one. The chips and salsa stay filled.
(4)Anne R.
Just came from here, Miguel, who I think may be the manager or just a great leader who stepped up, was really awesome. The first margarita I ordered really did not taste good at all but Miguel came over, replaced it immediately with a smile and then brought us cheese dip to try. Cheese dip was tasty and the next margarita was much better and was STRONG! I ordered a salad with ground beef which was great (and another yummy margarita) and my boyfriend ordered a fajita quesadilla and a giant beer which he said were delicious as well. Will definitely be back.
(4)Carrie Neal W.
So, I am on a quest for a new favorite Mexican dive. El Potro is MOST definitely in the running! Por que?? * Tasty! One of the best chicken quesadillas I've had lately and the meat was the key- juicy and flavorful. Also yum yummy is the Super Burrito - beef tips inside and tons of lettuce, tomato, and sour cream on top; the Boy ate every bite. * Cheap! A grilled chicken quesadilla (equal in size but with lots more meat than in an El Azteca half quesadilla) . . . $3.50! The Super Burrito? $4.75. * As you'd infer from #2 . . . very generous portions! Best of both worlds. * Very quick service. * No hovering or rushing-you-out vibe if you want to just take your time with one (or several) baskets of (very good) chips and salsa, and maybe some margaritas. * Speaking of margaritas, while I did find the peach in their frozen version a tad weak (bland might be a better word), again prices were way better than you'd find even a few miles away! I think I'll try the regular next time. *The servers were happy to leave out ingredients (ie, tomatoes on the burrito) or fix the dish when it came out wrong (tomatoes on it anyway). *Awesomely extensive selection of combos and a la carte items. Whether you eat meat or don't, are super-hungry or just want something small, there's something for you. You don't find that everywhere. Yay, El Potro, short list for you!!
(4)Rosenda B.
Pretty yummy and cheap! Parking can be difficult because it gets busy.
(4)Sundy G.
This place was DELICIOUS! I went there with a friend for lunch. We had 3 kids with us. The kids had tacos. My son loved his so much he wanted another. I took a bite of his 2nd taco and was tasty not to mention fresh. My friend and I ordered the lunch fajitas (chicken) and a tacos de carne asada. We shared both. The fajitas were very yummy. The chicken was very tasty and the guacamole, beans, lettuce that came with it were all fresh. The taco was very good. The carne was tasty and fresh and had no fat. I loved the corn tortillas. The waiter was the sweetest, most accommodating man. We felt like the only people in the place. The service was amazing. Food came out very fast. Everyone that worked there was very nice. The margaritas were very good too. We ordered them with squeezed lime only instead of the mix and he was very happy to make them. First sip I felt like i was in mexico. Last, the PRICES are spot on. Very inexpensive and well worth over the prices they charge. I am sitting here plotting when I can go back. A++++ wish i could give this 6 stars!
(5)C A R.
The Yelp reviews were spot on. The food was great. The only "complaint" I have is with the portion size. I ordered fajitas for two, and what came out of the kitchen was delicious but would have fed a small army for $20. There was enough for me and my date that night, then my brother was able to make three additional meals out of the leftovers. Way to go!!!
(5)Teresa L.
This dive restaurant has been in business forever. I've probably visited this restaurant 50 times. I love the weird ambiance. I always try to sit beside the hideous horse painting on the left side of the restaurant. The service is ALWAYS excellent. I love the food. The salsa is delicious. I don't sit on the patio, since there is a smoking section. I've had every seafood and vegetarian item on the menu and they're all awesome.
(4)Leigh C.
So it's not the most authentic mexican food on Buford Hwy. It's still a far cry away from Frontera and it's dirt cheap. First, it has a good selection of vegetarian options, and the deceny not to cover them in a watery red sauce that other restaurants like so much. Instead, my bean burrito comes out smothered in their creamy queso sauce; just enough to have some for my chalupa as well. The cheese dip is the standard to which I hold all other cheese dips. All the servers know my family and our orders. I've been eating there since college, before the family even existed. Sometimes our food and drinks just arrive at the table by magic, no orders placed. It's quick, it's cheap, it's delicious. Enough said
(5)Treasure A.
I came here with about 10 of my friends. I had been raving about the margaritas and how strong they were. The restaurant was full when we came. However, we said we were fine with sitting outside and they placed the heaters around us to make it cozy. All of my friends loved it. They were skeptical and thought that it would be another Los Loros, so the pressure was on me. (No shade to Los Loros, I don't mind eating there. I always get the same thing.) Every one loved their food! They especially loved the margaritas. One group had the peach, but didn't like it so much. Hey, I told them you cant go wrong with a lime pitcher for $13. We wound up playing drinking games for a chicken quesadilla. *typical college students* Its very possible to drink a full glass of frozen margarita in 20 seconds on a cold night.
(5)Robert D.
Best Mexican Food in Atlanta! Awesome customer service and very fast service. Chips and salsa as soon as you sit down!
(5)Haley C.
When you just want a good margarita pitcher and some cheap Mexican-esque food (it is still rather Americanized, but you know what you're getting into). El Potro does the trick. The service is friendly and they brought us cheese dip without us even having to ask (it's like they knew!). Food comes out fast and it's satisfying. I say muy bueno, El Potro, muy bueno!
(4)Robert M.
I have been going to this place for years. It features some of the best, deliciously authentic / semi-authentic yet no-frills, inexpensive Mexican food in Atlanta. It may not be the best; however, it is certainly among my top three or top five. The dining room is a bit of a dive and service is often erratic due to language barrier issues; however, you are there for the food first and foremost, so deal with it.
(4)Bryan D.
I was seriously Jonesing for some Mexican food on Saturday. I'm talking authetico, not ketchup a la tex mex. I like it caliente, you know? I was disappointed. Service was awesome. Music was great. Atmosphere was "joint-esque." I so wanted the food to be great, but I suffered a letdown. The meat in my Burrito/Enchilada/Tamale Combo #48 tasted like it was boiled. Flavor was lacking. Sorry El Potro. My quest continues for some genuine Mexican cuisine in the ATL.
(3)Bailey B.
It is what it is. If you visualize Mexican food, you are probably seeing the menu at El Potro's. The food is good, the prices are unbeleivable, and the people are really nice. This is appears to be a family-owned restaurant, serving traditional fare, and they really do want every customer to have a great experience. If you go there several times, they will remember you and treat you like an old friend. This is a great spot for a fun, light-hearted, casual dinner. When I am in the mood for Mexican food, this is where I go, every time.
(3)Brooke M.
This is my BuHi Mexican go-to. SO MUCH FOOD for such a reasonable price, and drinks are strong!
(4)Clayton W.
As a recent Texas transplant, my first task was to find acceptable Mexican food. I was a little apprehensive at first since the places my work friends took me down near the airport were sketchy at best, and the couple spots I tried near my new apartment were gringo-mex disappointments. Luckily, the Budget Truck rental return was on Buford Highway, and as we drove past the various carnicerias and Mexican dives, I had high hopes. I took to Yelp to sort out the wheat from the chaff, and we stopped at El Potro. The food itself was probably only 3 stars, but I'm a tough critic, and the laid-back Sunday afternoon feel of this place made me feel right at home and earned them a 4th star. Cheap, delicious margaritas; friendly, attentive service (even during a World Cup game, that's something); and my basic combination plate (taco, enchilada, tamale, rice, beans) was the closest I've found yet to authentic Tex-Mex in Atlanta. I won't stop looking yet for the perfect Tex Mex meal, but this one came pretty close.
(4)John B.
I have been coming here 1x month for 13 years. You are immediately given chips, salsa, and drink orders. Food is delivered fast also. Healthy foods are a challenge here, but I order get the freshly made pico de gallo amidst traditional Mexican fare. Atmosphere is cordial to drinking and being loud, never pretentious. They don't bring your check to you here which confuses new people, but its because they serve so many drinks to most patrons. Occasionally there will be a smoker on the patio (pleas stop this!!) but it rarely happens, I always look around before picking a spot on the patio. Head to the front counter and they will ring your bill up immediately.
(5)Jeffrey C.
After driving by this place numerous times since moving to Brookhaven last year, I finally had the chance to stop in last night. I sat at the bar by myself to catch the Celtics game. All the people that worked there were very friendly, the margarita was good and the price was great ($3.75) and I got a combo with an enchilada, taco, rice and beans which was fantastic. While it is not as good as any Mexican food in San Diego, I have tried many of the places along Buford Highway and thus far this is my favorite - it will make my short list of go-to restuarants here in Atlanta.
(4)Lisa B.
El Potro serves your typical tex-mex fare. Chips and salsa are standard as are most of the dishes they serve. I typically have something involving chicken - like a burrito, quesadilla, chimmy - and it always seems to hit the Mexican spot. The food here isn't special or gourmet so don't come here looking for something unique and different. The place itself is a little rundown. They have a covered patio area which is where I usually find myself sitting. It's not my favorite Mexican place but the prices are decent. Oh yeah, and for some reason the Diet Coke tastes funny here. -1 star for that because I love Diet Coke.
(3)Sara W.
Margaritas are just the way I like 'em: good, cheap and strong. Food is really good, big plates of food. Ground beef here is super tasty. And let's hear it for the staff. SO friendly -- non stop smiles. They definitely get to know their customers. I'm impressed and can't wait to go back again ... and again ... and again :-) Two thumbs up!!
(4)