Ernesto’s Fine Mexican
10040 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD, 21042
Ernesto’s Fine Mexican Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Ellicott City for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Ellicott City for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Ellicott City for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
10040 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD, 21042 - Phone (410) 750-1005
- Website https://www.ernestosfinemexicanfood.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
- Mon : 11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : 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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Michele W.
This may be the best Mexican restaurant in the area. Great variety, good margaritas and salsa and chips. I got the Mole which was fine but, it seemed to almost have an overcooked taste to it. All of the meats were cooked tender and flavored well. My favorite selection of the evening though was the pinto beans on the side. They were perfectly cooked and seasoned. There were tomatoes and onions in the broth and I believe I detected a splash of lime.
(3)Rebecca O.
Great, fresh salsa with free refills on chips. Yummy shrimp enchiladas. Hot sizzling fajitas. Charro beans have perfect flavor. Moist rice. Superb customer service. Will visit again.
(5)Matt K.
Seriously my favorite new Mexican spot. And I'm PICKY about Mexican food. We live in Carroll county but this is definitely worth the trip. Staff is curious, accommodating, and fast! Also good with our wild 3 year old. Food is top notch, hot and fresh. I've tried several things on the menu, all good. Gold guac, salsa, rice, all sides. These are things you would expect to be good at every Mexican spot but sadly tend not to be. Try some of the fish dishes, very tasty. Also, 20oz negro modello for like $4. DEAL
(5)amanda w.
We love our street tacos but sometimes we want Americanized mexican food. We have eaten inside and last night we got carry-out. No complaints about the service for either visits. The margaritas are well priced. They give you complimentary chips and salsa if you dine in. I get the taco appetizer for my entree because they give you five ground beef tacos with cheese, lettuce, sour cream, salsa, and guacamole. How can you lose on that?? So good. My boyfriend has had two different dinners and loved them both. We tried the Queso Mexicano this time and enjoyed it. It had a bit too much chopped veggies in it for my tastes but I was happy to eat it anyway. Love this place.
(4)Assface J.
What is wrong with you people? The food was weak, crappy, and bland. This is not Mexican food done right. Have any of you actually left Ellicott City? The tortillas for the tacos were flappy and rubbery. Think of foreskin. They were clearly not fresh and store bought. And who doesn't serve limes with tacos? Or clinatro? All I got was a giant leaf of letteuce that I had to rip up myself. The worst part was that it was overpriced. $15 for a mediocre taco plate? Lame. At the least plates weren't plastic. Good on them for that one.
(1)H C.
A Gem located in the Enchanted Forest Shopping Center Went to Ernesto's for the first time on a Friday night and had an excellent experience. Here are the takeaways: 1. Restaurant is spacious and well designed - Tables are well spaced with TVs located at the bar and in areas of the restaurant. 2. Went on a Friday night and was able to have a comfortable conversation with the person next to me without loud background noise, etc. No need to use a raised voice at this establishment. 3. The service was OUTSTANDING. Our waiter was happy, helpful and funny! Great Personality! You could tell he really enjoyed working there. 4. The food was really, really excellent. This is TexMex, as others have mentioned, so bear that in mind when you come. They have other locations in Texas. My companion got the El Jimador - which is a carnitas burrito and I got the shrimp tacos. The food prices are very reasonable and the portions were good sized. Why I cannot give 5 stars: 1. The alcohol prices were pretty steep. I understand they need to make money, but considering what other restaurants charge for alcohol and where they are located, I felt it was overpriced. I got a large house margarita, and it was between $12-13. My companion got the regular-sized house margarita, and it was between $7-$8. The margaritas were good, but they were not "exceptionally good." We did not go during happy hour. Definitely a trip worth making if you are in the area. Really enjoyed our visit and I know we'll be back (but we'll probably skip the margaritas unless the price drops).
(4)Richard M.
Delicious! This little beacon of a restaurant is in the Enchanted Forest Shopping Center. The establishment is well maintained and very pleasant to the senses. They start with free chips and homemade salsa. Outstanding. The fresh salsa is spicy without being overwhelming. My wife and I enjoyed two portions each. I also order the tortilla soup. It was fresh and had a wonderful taste to it. I felt it could have been a little more spicy but the fresh ingredients and pleasant flavour was satisfying. My wife ordered the freshly made guacamole. It was very good, but again we were expecting a little more spice. Yet, it was again very pleasant and satisfying. For our Main course I had Tacos Carne Asada. Wonderful! The sides were fresh and well made. The main dish was cooked to perfection. The meat was tender and had a perfect char in it. My wife chose the Tex Mex Burrito. It was HUGE! She said it was filling, as she took half home, had a wonderful flavour and was fresh. Overall, it was an amazing meal and we highly recommend this restaurant. Other than a few items that we personally would have wanted a bit more kick to, this place is outstanding and you won't be disappointed.
(4)Demetrios G.
A fun local joint with fun drinks and good specials. Taco Tuesday and Fajita Wednesday are my favorites. The serving size looks much more generous than Pachanga down the street (I've never weighed them but it just looks like you get more meat). The chicken is moist and never chewy. They're a little skimpy on the tortillas and charge $.35 per extra so that's annoying. Don't expect fancy or extremely authentic and you won't be disappointed.
(4)Anthony D P.
We've been waiting for this place to open and were excited to find it had. On our first visit the service was stellar and for the cheap price in this area, the food couldn't have been better. I got the chile relleno with the brisket in it and it was easily among the better rellenos I've had. The only better one nearby is R&R in Elkridge. The beans were seasoned nicely. My only criticism this go around would be the salsa. It was rather thin, making it impractical for dipping chips. I requested the chile verde sauce though and it was very good--thick, rich, smoky, and with heat. I'd recommend ordering it as a condiment for anything. We'll keep going back.
(5)Carolyn C.
I was hoodwinked. My friends and I generally try a new restaurant every Government Holiday that all three of us have off. I usually select the establishment since I am the Yelper and am completely infatuated with trying new places. I came across this eatery on Yelp and saw numerous wonderful appraisals on food, quality and service. I then usually turn to the restaurants' website and was also captivated with how it was organized and fresh looking (I have to be honest that most Mexican Restaurants do not have a great website). The three of us came here on a Monday and walked in right when the doors opened. There was another group of girls as well; therefore, I was prepared for the best service (since there were only two tables in the entire restaurant being occupied). Service was "eh." He didn't make eye contact, he took forever to bring us to our table (someone opened the door and then disappeared leaving two groups confused, "self-seating?"), chips and salsa took forever to come and then when he was ready he was so awkward just staring at us until we picked out everything we wanted--usually you take our drink order and then come back with the drinks and continue to take the rest of our order, not here. My friends both ordered an original margarita and I asked about the wine list (which was a list of headaches), not having any aspirin or B12, I opted for water. For food we had an enchilada lunch plate, a burrito dish and some sort of dish with steak and a burrito. All the food tasted mediocre and I was not impressed. In fact I wasn't impressed or happy with anything, however, I was super happy I only spent $9.99. If my lunch cost anything more and tasted that plain, I would have had to say something. For better food, larger wine list and better service please visit Pachanga Cocina or Xitomate, both in the general area.
(2)Natalie C.
No greeting when I walked in for a carry out order. 2 waiters passed me sitting at the bar without asking if I was being helped. I had to ask if someone was working at the bar so I could place my order. Usually I would leave with this caliber of customer service but I was hungry. The food was very bland and nothing special. Lunch special prices are reasonable and you are given a good amount of food. I won't return and definitely wouldn't bring anyone to eat here. Save your money and make some Mexican food at home or visit another establishment.
(1)Alejandra K.
Excellent food, great service. Maragarita's are authentic. The chicken toritlla soup is light and tasty. Guacamole made fresh at the table. Good size portions.
(5)Katen C.
This is the best Tex-Mex food in the area. We've been waiting 15 years for a really good, neighborhood Mexican restaurant, and today we found it. The food was fresh and very tasty. We tried the chile rellano and the burrito grande. And, we can't wait to come back and try something new. And to top it all off, the service was excellent. Please try the restaurant if you are looking for a good local Mexican restaurant. It puts all the chains to shame.
(5)Stacy B.
I seriously love this place. So does my family. We always order their hot and mild salsa to go (have some in the fridge now). I recently had the guisado de res, it was wonderful especially the next day. My kids love the tamales. So far I haven't had anything there I didn't like.
(5)Jessica A.
Holy crap! I went there with a friend. He wanted to drink and have dinner, but I wasn't hungry at all, so I ordered an apple pie. I figured they'd slap some grocery store pie on a plate, toss some ice cream on top and call it a day. Instead, what I got was table-side apple pie SERVICE. They bring out the apple pie on a plate, along with a hot fajita platter full of sizzling caramel sauce. They basically cook (or at warm up, at least,) your pie on the fajita plate, carefully drizzling a bit of syrup on top. Then, came the ice cream. It was so melty (but not soupy) by the time I bit into it, the whole confection was absolute heaven, The other customers around us turned to watch what the server was doing. My companion doesn't like apple pie, but he thought this was delicious. I will never look at apple pie the same way.
(5)Lucy M.
This is one of the best Mexican places in the area. The service has been impeccable so far. The food just want expected and delicious. The price is also fair. It is a great place to come in and get your Mexican food cravings. They have the best chips and salsa!!!
(5)Julie R.
We loved the chicken enchiladas. The ranchero sauce was great and the salsa versa was good. The queso and salsa is fresh and spot on!!!! Great service and warm cozy atmosphere. We are from Texas and we were regulars at their restaurants there. This one is better!!!
(5)Autumn L.
As a born and raised Texan, THIS is how you do Mexican food!!! My husband and I ate here last night and enjoyed it so much we decided to get take out again tonight. Naturally I had to order one of their margaritas to get the night started right. It tasted fresh and the balance of everything was perfect - not to mention these things are huge!!! On the food side we started with the Queso Mexicano and I had the chicken enchiladas with queso sauce for my meal. The Queso Mexicano is absolutely amazing and comes with chips as well as fresh tortillas. As for the enchiladas, they were spot on! There haven't been many times where I was completely satisfied with enchiladas unless I am visiting family back home so I am far too excited about finding this place. Tonight I wanted to try something a little healthier - except for the queso, I'm obsessed with it :) - so I ordered a bowl size of the tortilla soup for my meal. The container was as big as my head!!!! It was truly delicious and now I have lunch for tomorrow! If I could give this place more stars I would. Both nights were met with great service and great food and we will definitely be making Ernesto's our go-to for Mexican food.
(5)Karen E.
What a great New Mexican restaurant! This is our first time visiting Ernesto's after people we know highly recommended it. They have been open about a year and a half according to the owner of this location and doing very well. We started out with the premium Margaritas which were really good. The salsa, a staple of any Mexican restaurant, was delicious, fresh and served with warm chips. We ordered the fajitas as our entrees, one veggie and the other steak and chicken. Both were cooked perfectly. The guacamole, refried beans and rice were also delicious! A table next to us got the nachos, all nice and neat, not the typical big mess you get and they too looked delicious. It's a small place in the corner of The Enchanted Forest shopping center but you will not be disappointed... Everything is fresh and fabulous! Try it out, you will be glad you did!
(5)Joe B.
I have always been skittish about Mexican food west of the Mississippi. We live in Nashville, and I can count on one hand the number of Mexican food restaurants in town that are worth going to. It would take the fingers and toes of my extended family, friends and co-workers to count the proliferation of the ones that have a Speedy Gonzalez or #18 on the menu that aren't. I have had experiences where some Mexican food restaurants that fall into the latter category actually had good reviews on Yelp. After reading the reviews and checking Ernesto's website, we decided to give it a try. Boy are we glad we did! The flavors were like the food out west, the portions were larger than many restaurants and best of all, the food was delicious. I had the chicken enchiladas, my husband had a burrito, the grandkids taco salad and enchiladas. Everything was fresh and flavorful.
(5)Anne B.
Fresh chips and salsa - mild and spicy was served very soon. We had Ernesto' platter, steak fajitas, Burrito, Chimichanga and Enchiladas with beef, chicken and brisket. The Platter was good, my family didn't enjoy with stuffed jalapeños but everything else was good. The steak fajitas was best one out of what we have. My son did not like his burritos I ended up giving him my enchiladas since I order 3 pieces. His burritos had too much peppers it had more than enough juice from it. My enchiladas was good especially one with brisket. The one with beef was a bit too much seasoned but still good enough. Their service was great and they have nice atmosphere. Overall we liked it and we will try there again. Next time i will order the steak fajitas for myself!
(4)J C.
I had the Tacos David. The brisket was dry and chewy. The salad had a very strong onion flavor. They were out of charro beans so they gave me refried beans instead. The rice and the beans were pretty standard. Unlimited chips though, so that was cool.
(2)Tina P.
This is a really good Mexican restaurant everything on the menu is bomb! The owners are so sweet and very personable. Go try this place they have take out as well!
(5)Kaitlyn M.
The food was amazing! The margaritas were also amazing! We had a chimichanga and the Jimador (spelling?). The service was also friendly and prompt! Great experience! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Kem W.
I'm not sure what all the hubbub about this restaurant is. Nothing I had was really outstanding. It's just a typical Tex-Mex place. Of course you get chips and salsa at the start. I've had better salsa. It seemed "jarred" to me. I had the tacos de carne asada for dinner. You get three so there's plenty. But I found the tacos a little dry. The Mexican rice was par for the course as were the charro beans. We also had the pescado Alex (grilled tilapia on veggies) at the table. It looked OK and was deemed excellent. I had an Ernesto's margarita on the rocks. OK but I probably should have gone for the bigger size; they put a lot of rocks in the drink. The place was a little loud due to a rambunctious group of women. Sound really reverberates here. Service was OK but nothing special. I find Pachanga's right down the road at least as good, probably better. I might come here again but Pachanga's would be my first choice.
(3)Icmnoa O.
Good Food, Good Customer Service! Try the queso dip, burrito, and chicken enchiladas.
(5)Telly S.
1st time here and was seated right away even with a family of 5...atmosphere was wonderful. ..The food. .O gosh the food was great and plentiful. Even if your kids don't like mexican food they can order American like a burger, chicken fingers or hotdog. The kids plates are huge also, so they won't be hungry. The service was really good and the waiter was very friendly. It is definitely a "must visit". O, I almost forgot about the hot nachos n one of those sauces are HOT!
(4)Jessica N.
Vegans and vegetarians beware of this restaurant. The beans are made with chicken stock or pork. In speaking to the manager, he explained that he tried making vegetarian beans for three days and that he had to throw them out. So he said he would make them for me if I called in advance. The decor is dated and the furniture is in disrepair. Of the four chairs at our table, two had at least one leg shorter than the others and the table was very unstable. Anyways, the chips and salsa were ok. But we had to leave because the only option for vegans was plain veggies and French Fries. These are things I can make at home. So if you are a vegan or vegetarian, do not order the beans at all. None are vegetarian.
(1)Sid M.
Really good Mexican food, probably the best I've had in Maryland. I moved here from NC, and they had the best Mexican food I've ever had (one of the advantages of having a lot of illegal immigrants, lol I'm just kidding..sorta). Anyways, the quality is great, and I highly recommend the chicken David. However, things do get a bit pricey (especially after a margarita..or 2) and they tend to give more rice and salad than the main stuff. But nice staff and good quality definitely makes this a thumbs up from me.
(4)Brian A.
Went here for a late Sunday afternoon lunch - she had a craving for fish tacos and place had a good rating on Yelp and Google reviews. Large portions, good service, but the flavors were non-existent and bland for Tex-Mex. Worst fish tacos....ever! No flavor, mushy fish, barely grilled. We thought the chipotle flavored mayo with the fish tacos would add *some* flavor - but it was more mayo than chipotle flavor. Was like eating bland grilled fish with tortilla chips, mayo, and some cheese and lettuce. Salsa was at least fresh...my meal of dinner enchiladas and tacos was *ok*. Meat again was barely seasoned. Think the ratings are high since it was "family friendly" Tex-mex where her and I eat out for full-flavor food as a treat. Not ever coming back.
(1)Mark L.
My favorite Mexican restaurant and I eat Mexican all over.. Great people great service
(5)Chuck H.
Best Tex-mex in Maryland. The tableside made guacamole was very good. The burritos and margaritas were very tasty. Very good service. I will definitely be back.
(5)Nikki W.
My experience didn't match the overall rating of this place. The food was meh. I got fish tacos on corn tortillas. I make them a million times better. The margaritas are premade and they use mixer instead of just lime juice.
(2)Rebecca A.
Best Mexican that I have found in the area and the service has been wonderful both times I have gone. Unlimited chips and salsa and the table side guacamole was awesome! Very worth it!!
(5)Brian E.
Just outstanding. The food is authentic, huge portions, fresh and high quality ingredients. The service was excellent. Plenty of seating. We just got back and we are grinning ear to ear. First time here and wow will we be back. We started with fajita combo nachos. I was craving nachos. Found this place on Yelp and saw all the great reviews. The nachos were covered in cheese, beef and chicken. Every bit covered with high quality ingredients. The toppings were super fresh. The best nachos I think I have ever had. For dinner I had Carne Asada tacos and my wife had fish tacos. Lots of fillings and extras and everything was fresh. The little guy had chicken fingers and fries. A huge portion for a pre schooler.. About three meals for him! This is now my favorite Mexican restaurant in the world. The value was outstanding. Highly recommend. The inside was spacious with a nice decor. It was a Thursday night around 6PM. Not sure if the scene changes at different times or days. Lots of families with toddlers and preschoolers. But the layout kept the noise way down and the folks without kids were able to dine in comfort. A small after work crowd as well. The services was great and very friendly. I will be back within a week for sure.
(5)George K.
Wow, I read the reviews so I came. What a major fail. The service was horrible so bad that we had to get up and get a manager. When we asked for recommendation no one had any. The quack mole was okay but everything else was horrible. I had the chimichanga it was not good and under cooked. I would not recommend this place. Only good thing was it was inexpensive.
(1)Sarah M.
Um the margaritas here are the real deal. They are so, so good. Probably the best frozen/blended margarita I have ever had, honestly. We're from California and honestly the Mexican food we've had since we have left, has left a lot to be desired. We've actually come around to making our own because there doesn't seem to be much other than "Tex Mex." Well Ernestos is Tex-Mex too, but dang, they got it RIGHT! First, the salsa. I really don't think any other place has better salsa than this. The mild and the hot are both excellent. Even my 3-year old (then 2) was trying the hot salsa because the flavor was so yummy. I ordered fish tacos both times we went because they have totally perfected the flavors. The last time I had fish tacos this great was in Maui, and that was mahi-mahi and, well... Hawaii. I haven't expected anything to measure up and that was about 10 years ago. Nope, these guys raised the bar! The sauce they serve with it really finishes it off too. My husband ordered a chimichanga and it was "amazeballs," as he put it. The kids were very happy with their quesadillas. The service staff was super friendly both times- one time we had a newer lady who was training and honestly- had she not told me she was training, I'd never have guessed. They were very personable and helpful, and visited the table often to make sure we had what we needed. I'm not sure either server spoke great English, but they were very friendly and smiled a lot, and got us whatever we needed without any issues at all. Writing this review before dinner was a bad idea, btw. We've cut back on our dining out budget and now guess what I want for dinner?! ha ha... go there- you won't be disappointed!
(5)Theresa C.
This place is amazing! The food is so good-big portions and extremely tasty for a reasonable price! They give you warm chips & spicy salsa and even refreshed when we (me) ate it all. We've gotten the Ernesto's platter every time, which is a huge plate of appetizers, each one better than the next. My fiancé loves the steak, it's tender and he's really critical of his steaks! He said it was cooked better than some steak places. I always get a frozen margarita, it's delicious and refreshing. The best part though is the amazing customer service, every person greets you with a genuine smile and is happy to serve you. Honestly, that's what makes this place go beyond my expectations! I'll stop gushing now.
(5)Robert H.
Very happy, friendly staff. Food is great. Will definitely be back. Very positive experience!
(5)Susan P.
Family friendly, Mexican restaurant. Excellent soup, quality food, not as expensive as other Mexican restaurants in the area. Wait staff is friendly and nice. Once they made a mistake on our order, but they corrected it and discounted the bill. Generous portions, allow for take home. The salsa and chips are good. Adequate parking in a parking lot shared with many other businesses. Hard to walk to this location from route 40 since side walks are inadequate.
(5)Mountain M.
You want excellent service and food this is the spot. Nuff said!
(5)Jared L.
I freakin' love this place. I'm from Texas and I have to say this is one of the only places around here that's as good as the stuff back home. The reason is that Ernesto's is originally a Texan restaurant! If you look at their website, there are four locations in the Dallas, TX area and one of the family members started the location out here. I plan on going back many times and I can't wait until the patio seating opens up in the warmer months. Try the Queso Mexicano to start, and you can't go wrong with their enchiladas. Also I hear they have great margaritas and they also have good beer on tap. The staff is nice too. If you don't like this place, then you just don't like Tex Mex. That's okay though, more for me! :-)
(5)Tracy H.
Food is delicious. Authentic enough for me. Margaritas aren't too bad either. Service is friendly and helpful. Have been several times and always a good experience.
(4)Lyndsay V.
In a strip mall... but it was good food, friendly service and clean atmosphere. Chips never ran out because server kept bringing more. I got the chimichanga and it was really good. My friends got margaritas, chicken taco salad and steak fajitas and everyone was satisfied. I'd return for sure!
(5)L L.
We have been going to Ernesto's since they first opened up in Ellicott City. We recently went there for a birthday party and was totally floored by how good the service was for the party. The service is normally very efficient and fast when we go there for regular meals. But for our somewhat large party - there was no let up. I'm not a margarita drinker so I cannot say anything about it. But, the food. I have never had anything bad or even questionable there. And you definitely cannot go wrong by ordering anything with their brisket in it. It may not seem like such a big deal to some people - but, the fact that they do not nickel and dime you with the chips and just keep them coming is huge for me. I refuse to return to places that charge you after the first basket of chips. Another plus is the individual cups of salsa - if you do not have kids - this will not be a big deal.
(5)Matt S.
We have been here many times and the staff is always so friendly and the food is great. Even our picky 15 and 6 year olds like this place. Give it a try.
(5)Grant J.
Really great Mexican good. The grilled fish tacos are delicious, as well as the carnitas burrito. They serve the best queso con carne I've ever had. The chips are always fresh and warm. The waitstaff are very friendly and remember us as semi regulars. I highly recommend Ernesto's!
(5)Chip R.
Delicious!!! Pollo David was excellent!!! Tacos carnitas and burrito Alex were also fantastic!!! Great restaurant in Ellicott City conveniently located in the Enchanted Forrest shopping center. Nice change to chain style tex mex restaurants.
(5)Dennis S.
I went there for the second time tonight. The service was fantastic. It is hard to find really good service these days and this place knocked it out of the park. The chili rellano was very good. I had the brisket version. Really outstanding. The prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is pretty good. My wife had two glasses of wine for $9.00. That's unheard of around here. I will be going back on a regular basis to this joint.
(4)Tami K.
It's been a long time since moving from the west to have find a decent Mexican place close by. Finally, we have Ernesto's. I've loved everything I've tried, but the chicken chimis are always my go to favorite. AND, the service is top notch!!
(5)Hawk C.
We've been here three times now. Once right after they opened. The head waitress has remembered us each time! Customer service is very good here. This last time I had the enchilada tejanos and was very impressed. I'm a rice and beans fans and they have the best pinto beans in the area. The rice is second only to Mi Casa's up the road. The other meals I've tried have been equally good. This is way up in the rotation now.
(4)Hoyt H.
We had a very nice dinner here on xmas eve. It doesn't look like much from the outside (typical strip mall), but the interior is nicely done. I started with a margarita, which was superb, along with chips and salsa. The server warned us that one of the salsas was very spicy, and he wasn't lying! Definitely some habanero in there. For my entree, I had the Tacos de Carnitas, which were awesome! They were served street vendor-style, with nice soft corn tortillas, and were very flavorful. I think wifey may have had a burrito, which she said was also good. Service was nice and attentive, and the place just had a good atmosphere. We'll definitely be back.
(4)Jeannie F.
Service and food excellent and margaritas really good. Table side guacamole yummy. Try this one.
(5)Steve K.
Have been to Ernesto's 4-5 times over last 4 months. Have found service very friendly and efficient. We typically have burrito and chimichanga and have found them well prepared. The happy hour pricing on Margaretas is very good as is the taste. Best Mexican restaurant in area.
(4)Todd M.
Short review: I went there when they first opened. I wasn't wowed. Gave them the benefit of the doubt and went again a month later. Keep in mind this is Tex Mex, NOT Michaoucan. For Tex Mex, it's pretty terrific! Nice chips and salsa. We've had a few different dishes and all have been well prepared and served piping hot. Waitstaff is lovely. The place is CLEAN! Prices reasonable. There is more accurate Mexican food further down Rt 40 on the way to Catonsville, but... As much as I liked it when it was a "counter in the back" not a "restaurant" (which I'm hoping is not their demise), it's not someplace I would take guests. Ernesto's is perfect for a nice Date Night. I don't drink so can't tell you about the Margaritas but I'm willing to learn!
(5)M M.
I am not sure which was better- the food or the service! Far beyond most restaurants in both areas! We were visiting area from out of town and typically go to large chain restaurants unless we have a good local recommendation. I am so glad we found this place! (It does have several locations in Texas, too, actually.) Nice clean, vibrant, new decor. The hostess was so nice. Our waiter, Marcelo, was attentive, polite, very friendly and enthusiastic. The entire staff seemed to get along great and enjoy their jobs! They sang to a customer outside for his birthday as we were leaving and we felt compelled to watch from the parking lot, it was so entertaining! Ok. Now to the food. Delicious! Nice fresh salsa and warm chips. Tasty refried beans and rice. I had the chicken chimichanga and it was slightly crisped without being deep fried to a crisp. Nice presentation. My table mate got tacos and said they were great. The chicken is very fresh and tender. The portions are big so, unfortunately, we didn't have room for dessert. Luckily, we are in town for several more days so we will definitely visit here again! YUM! 5 stars!
(5)Kim A.
Left this place questioning all my life choices and opinions! How can so many people give this place amazing reviews and I just feel "Blah" about it?! Maybe it was an off day. The dish I ordered was the enchiladas with strips of carne asada on top. The carne asada was actually pretty good, cooked well and seasoned. The enchiladas were covered in cheese but not the yummy, gooey, comforts your soul kinda cheese. This cheese was sweating off this orange grease that really made you concern for your digestive health. The rice and beans were lukewarm and just basic as far as flavor. I couldn't even attempt to fill up on the chips and dip because the chips tasted store brought and the salsa was super watery. However my saving grace was the margarita. It was light and refreshing without being sugary and with just the right flavor of lime. If I return I think I will plan on drinking my dinner.
(2)Fat T.
Great Mexican food at a decent price. Everything was tender, juicy and flavorful. Service was 5 stars.
(4)Nicki M.
Ernesto's Fine Mexican Food is Texas comes to Maryland w/ this fun Tex-Mex restaurant. I love Tex-Mex and this place is now one of my favs!! The margaritas are everything! Plus you must try the chimichangas... they are huge and packed with flavor. It took me two days to finish one. Nom nom nom.
(5)Terri C.
Not sure how Ernesto's has a rating better than Pachanga. We decided to try this place because it had a better rating, so we figured it had to have better food. Boy were we disappointed!!!!? I had the shrimp tacos and my boyfriend had the brisket tacos. I have one word to describe both meals BLAND!!! There was nothing special or TexMex about those meals. Service was good and quick hence 2 stars.
(2)Sarah E.
Wonderful first experience at Ernesto's. I've been disenchanted with Mexican restaurants in the area lately. To get the perfect meal I'd have to take the margaritas from one place, the salsa from another, the rice from a third, the atmosphere and service from yet another, and, well, you get the picture. We went to Ernesto's last week on an early Sunday evening, based on the recommendations of several different friends. The margaritas get a 9 out of 10. They tasted fresh, and in response to another reviewer, yes, it did come with a lime wedge! If my husband comments that a margarita is strong, you can safely assume that there is a generous amount of tequila in there! The salsa and chips were fantastic. Again, incredibly fresh, and they offered several refills. The rest of the food was exceptional as well. Fried jalapenos stuffed with chicken were surprisingly light and not greasy. My carnitas tacos came with beautiful slices of avocado and a bowl of chopped cilantro. And the side of beans... I could have eaten an entire plate of them. My husband's combo meal took up TWO plates. For the amount and quality of the food, the prices were astoundingly reasonable. The service was friendly and attentive, but not intrusive. The atmosphere is bright and open, but comfortable. Based on our first dining experience there, I feel like Ernesto's has the potential to restore my faith in Mexican restaurants. Since it was fairly quiet, I'd like to revisit the place on a busier night. If we do (and I imagine it will be soon), and we have a comparable experience, I'll be ready to declare this our new go-to Mexican restaurant.
(4)Clint S.
For many years I lamented Maryland's lack of good Mexican food. This is the first place that I've actually gone back to multiple times. For Maryland I call it great Mexican food but overall it is just decent Mexican when compared to what I grew up with. It may seem expensive but the portions are pretty big. If you're looking for great beer then go next door to the White Oak Tavern.
(4)TJ P.
Updating my review of Ernesto's from 2013. Much better! The salsa was fresh but this time had a nice spiciness. Margarita was very good, too. I ordered shrimp enchiladas-- fantastic. Shrimp were tender and seasoned perfectly, just enough melted cheese. Sauteed green and yellow squash on the side. Still didn't like the avocado salad, unfortunately. Service was friendly and has a family feel to it. Good place.
(4)Luna B.
Best fajitas in town! Very tender! Made from probably flank or skirt steak the way they do in Mexico! Also, prices are more reasonable than other fine Mexican restaurants in town. So far I have only tried the steak fajitas with rice and beans and a soda, but they are onto something here and I plan on coming back. Server was friendly and food came out within 15 minutes during lunch. Restaurant interior is beautiful.
(5)Addie M.
Ate here on cinco de Mayo with my family and the food was great just wish our waitress spoke better English because she miss informed us on a special.
(4)Ed S.
This is a new Tex-Mex restaurant in Ellicott City in the Enchanted Forest Shopping Center. We came with aanother family and ordered many different things. It was really good. A few of our favorites included the Tableside Guacamole which you could season to taste, the presentation of the Brushcetto Ahumada was incredible and the drinks which were amazing and generous. The service was very good with excellent humor from our server and very attentive. We recommend you to try this new place. We have lived in Tezaas and Southern California and this is the best mexican for many miles...
(5)Randy C.
This is an update to my first review, which was written in the few weeks after Ernesto's opened. So, after several more visits I am happy to report that Ernesto's is hitting the mark very nicely. I only had one moment of worry: one day for lunch my chile relleno had large chunks of unmelted yellow cheese, which turned me off (Mexican restaurants, I would advise you just to never use yellow cheese to begin with), but this proved to be an anomaly. Everything was back to normal on subsequent visits. The tamales are very impressive: served on half a corn husk, with very light masa and excellent fillings, I loved it. My younger son loves the quesadillas, and the normal salsa for chips is not as watery as it was before. The spicy salsa can get pretty hot sometimes. The enchiladas are very satisfying, and my wife really likes the tacos and the salads. In short, we have not had anything we didn't really like, the service is excellent, the place is comfy cozy and pretty, the prices are in the right zone, this is turning out to be a nice little gem. Una vez mas: gracias, Ernesto!
(5)Jay M.
Great service and great food...we believe this is the best Mexican food in or near Howard county!
(5)Christina S.
Got burned by bad customer service at Mi Casa, so I was happy to take my business to a new local mexican spot. Busy on a Friday night and ordered take out. Friendly phone service. Ordered the Tacos David (brisket). Tender brisket and flavorful! Only criticism was that it was greasy. Rice was good. Salsa was a little runny. Chips plentiful. Kids meals: mac/cheese and quesadilla s were good portions and kids gobbled it up. Definitely eating here again!
(4)F S.
The place was crowded on a Saturday at 6 pm, which had to mean the food is good, right? Not so much. The mole sauce was way too bitter, the burrito not authentic, and the food was bland overall. The carnitas plate came served with undressed lettuce and not even a wedge of lime to give the dish some flavor. Why so stingy with the seasonings? The waitstaff was nice, but there was clearly not enough of them, as it took over 45 minutes to get our order out, and even then they brought out the food for the wrong table! Folks in Ellicott City must be so starved for anything other than a fast food Mexican joint that they're giving this place rave reviews, but I just don't get it. Authentic Tex-Mex this ain't.
(2)J P.
Pretty good food and good service. We were a party of 10 and received good service. If you like spicy, try the spicy salsa. It was Amazing! All of the food was fresh and huge portions. Will definitely visit again.
(5)Mark M.
Food and service is excellent. A little pricey for Mexican. The sangria is homemade and very good.
(4)M H.
I'm always afraid to try new restaurants until they've been open a while, but my wife and I gave this one a shot... it has only been open 2 weeks at the time I'm writing this. The food itself was not heavy or greasy and just seemed very fresh. The staff was also attentive. There may be room to spice up the food just a little bit, but this isn't really a complaint since the food was all still very good. It's a solid contender for the area and we'll be back. I'm glad we tried it out.
(5)Jonathan H.
Unbelievably good food! We arrived 30 minutes before closing on a Saturday, and the servers were still quick, attentive, friendly and relaxed. We were immediately served water, fresh chips and both mild and spicy salsas. The margarita and Long Island iced tea were spot on perfectly mixed, and the food arrived about 10 minutes after ordering. I had the pulled-chicken Echiladas Suizas and the wife had a chicken Chimichanga. It was the most delicious Mexican food I've ever had, unlike any other, with fresh ingredients and a complex combination of contrasting but complimentary flavors that I've never tasted in Mexican food before. I've heard others say this is true TexMex, not so much Mexican. Whatever it is, 6 stars!
(5)Shari A.
Omg, finally good Mexican food in Maryland. We're from Los Angeles, and we have lived here for six years. We have eaten at EVERY Mexican food restaurant. All the time people here will reccomend a restaurant, and they will say - 'oh, you'll love it, it's very authentic', and it never is. Until now. The shredded beef brisket is amazing. Felt like I was back in LA, eating the real thing. Will be eating there often.
(5)Leeann N.
Okay, just made a second visit to Ernesto's so I'm updating my review to reflect my opinion (the first visit was during their opening.) Also, I just got back from a week long trip to Austin, so the taste of GOOD TEX MEX food was fresh in my brain and on my palate. I was ready to compare. My new opinion: This is good Tex Mex food. I think I had forgotten what true Tex Mex tastes like, especially as compared to Mexican or Americanized Mexican. Ernestos ranked right up there with Lupe Tortilla and Maudie's in Austin. I was really glad I gave it a second chance. I got the Queso with ground beef (very good and my son liked it too) and then the 3-item combo- a cheese enchilada with con carne sauce, a brisket enchilada with queso blanco sauce and a puffy taco. The cheese enchilada with con carne sauce was very good, straight up Tex Mex. The brisket enchilada was also very good. I might have moaned a little bit. My son ate mine all up. I'll go into that in a minute. The puffy taco would have been good, but it literally sat in a pool of grease on my plate, so it was just okay. They need to drain the meat better before putting it in the taco shell. My son ordered a ground beef chimichanga, no pico de gallo. Seems simple enough, right? The first time his order came out, he had pico on his plate, which I told him to ignore. He cut into the chimichanga and it was filled with chicken. We called the waitress over and told her the order was completely wrong and repeated the order. They went to redo it "It'll just be a minute." Well, I nearly finished my meal by the time it appeared and I had given my son my brisket enchilada to tide him over. He happily cut into the chimichanga (ground beef, as ordered) and ate a few bites, and then pico de gallo came out of the middle. WHAT? Is the no pico idea that hard to accomplish?? Called the waitress over again and pointed out the Pico. She offered to have the kitchen make it again but there was no point. I was finished. I had them make it for him to take home and he ate the rice and some of the chimi from around the pico. All in all, the food was good. The waitressing was okay (some refills were noticed, some we had to request) but the kitchen really needs to be more careful. Getting something wrong once is not great but twice is just unacceptable. The chimichanga was on the bill. I was surprised to see that, as I would have taken it off had it been my establishment. Since he did get another one to take home, I went ahead and paid it without complaint. I did notice though and felt that it should have been removed. I hope this place succeeds because it is good. I will continue to eat there and will hope for improvement in attention to detail from the kitchen.
(4)Darlene O.
My husband and I eat here about once a week. As Sarah said, these are the best frozen margarita's anywhere! For lunch or dinner, my husband usually gets the Enchilladas Tejanas and I get the Enchilladas Suisa. The Suisa have tender, pulled white meat of chicken and are covered with a delicious tomatillo sauce. Marcello, one of the main guys there, is very attentive and friendly and hurries to make sure you have everything you need. Everything is good here - we've also had the Tacos David and Carne Asada Tacos. The charro bean soup that comes with many meals is a wonderful addition to the meal.
(5)Dan G.
Was in town for a seminar and stopped by after reading some reviews online. Really pleased with the 2 salsas that come with the tortilla chips. Steak fajitas were amazing and very tender. Looking forward to the next time I am in town to stop by again!
(5)Shell S.
My husband and I went here on a Tuesday night. We were really impressed with Ernesto's. The decor is lovely, the service very attentive, and the food was really good! The server brought hot chips to our table with both mild and hot salsas. We ordered guacamole dip, one beef and one chicken burrito for one entree, and the steak fajita special for the other entree. Cons: my husband said the hot salsa was not spicy enough and the onion and peppers served with the fajitas was skimpy on the peppers. Pros: The steak fajitas had what both my husband and I consider perfectly cooked steak, and we both enjoyed our meal to the point of being too stuffed for dessert. We look forward to eating here again and may make it our "go to" date night place.
(4)Victoria W.
AVOID!! This place is new and my mother and I decided to try it.. We ordered something that really should have no reason to be disgusting.. The chips and salsa they give you when you first walk in are gross, the salsa is too watery and the hot salsa they also give you is bland tasting. We ordered steak and chicken fajitas.. The steak tasted as if it had been microwaved and had no Grilled taste whatsoever. The 'onions and peppers' were mostly onions and included mostly the outer skins of onions which are not consumable. The chicken looked and tasted like Perdue chicken cutlets (pretty sure this is what it was) and had no flavoring or any kind of good taste. The guacamole and pico de gallo tasted like they were packaged and they also gave out cheddar cheese that was melting on the plate to put on the fajitas. Fajitas should be one of the easiest things for a Mexican place to make.. If you are really looking for good Mexican food in the Ellicott City area head to Pachanga their food is always great and the staff is friendly and hospitable, they have half off appetizers during happy hour and their drinks are delicious. Sedona and MiCasa are also a no-go they have cheap food for an expensive price. So take my advice and head to Pachanga!!
(2)Cami M.
My husband and I went here with friends on a Saturday night. We showed up fairly early for a dinner seating, about 5:30. I'm glad we did! The place got pretty busy as the evening went on. Our server was very friendly, attentive and gave great food recommendations. They kept a steady supply of chips and salsa on our table, which is hard to do because my husband will go through salsa FAST. We ordered the large margaritas--which were very good--they had a good balance of tequila in them and none of the flavors were overpowering. For an appetizer, we had the blanco queso, the bowl size is enough for 4 people. What can I say about a bowl of melted cheese? Delish. My husband ordered the chicken and shrimp fajitas and was quite happy with it. I got the fish tacos, and those were great as well. Although, I wish I had ordered the tacos David; my friend raved about them, I still insisted on going my own way. She gave me a bite of the meat in them...oh wow. It was tender, juicy and had great flavor. Oh well, I'll learn next time! My friends' husband had the steak fajitas and seemed pretty happy with then as well. You know it's a good sign when a talkative table goes silent after the food comes! All in all, I'd say this is a darn good Mexican restaurant. We will absolutely be coming back!
(5)