El Puerto
425 Main St, Edmonds, WA, 98020
El Puerto Menu
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Address :
425 Main St
Edmonds, WA, 98020 - Phone (425) 672-2469
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Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : 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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T B.
Walking around Edmonds waterfront on main street and wanted Mexican. The prices were fair, the menu extensive and the food was good to really good. We were really impressed with the service and would recommend this place to one and all.
(4)Pat H.
Food was very good. Only one waiter for the whole restaurant. Had to ask for menu, water. Service was poor. Second time in there and both times service was the same.
(2)Krystin T.
I came here with my friend and her husband before an event we were attending at the Edmonds Theater (which is adorable, by the way). We just wanted something easy for dinner, and this seemed as good a place as any! The service was incredibly quick. My friends were already seated when I arrived, and almost immediately our server was there to take my drink order. After snacking on some chips & salsa, I ordered a bean burrito, which came with a side of rice & beans. It was a pretty standard American Mexican-restaurant dish. The burrito is covered in sauce, the rice had some potatoes mixed in, and everything was piping hot and came out of the kitchen INCREDIBLY fast. This is just a good generic Mexican place; it's nothing new, fancy, or earth-shattering, but it was fast, tasty, and definitely hit the spot.
(4)David C.
The place has great authentic Mexican food Friendly staff and Mexican music playing. I had the beef avocado tostada. It had a whole avocado sliced up in it Great prices I would recommend this place.
(4)Susie M.
Big fan of this place! Always good for when you're in the mood for Mexican as comfort food. Tasty, and lots of options. Friendly service! It's great for groups and kids, lots of space and long tables. It's not too loud, so it's easy to chat, but still a fun atmosphere with lots of people. Plus you can't get better location, right in the middle of Edmonds!
(5)David M.
We ate here for lunch yesterday and really liked the food. The chips were warm and delicious (always a good sign) and the Pico de Gallo was absolutely delicious. I had the combo plate of beans, tamale and cheese enchilada. My tamale was supposed to be chicken but it was beef but still tasted great. My partner had basically the same thing. We both love horchata and it was ice cold and delicious. The waiter was super friendly and very helpful. we will be back for sure.
(4)MK M.
I don't love this restaurant. I prefer Las Brisas. However, it is your basic family owned Mexican restaurant with solid prices and fair food.
(3)April Y.
My daughter and I stopped in for dinner last night and were amazed at the speed and quality of service. Everyone was very friendly and attentive (without being bothersome) we had our food within 15 minutes of ordering! Because we were served so quickly I thought it would be gross and surprisingly it was delicious! I like that they have a reference on the back of the menu so if your not sure what something (in spanish) is all u have to do is look, great idea.
(4)Henry R.
A notch below mediocrity. Salsa is likely canned tomato juice with added spices. The bean dip was just a small side of beans...at least melt the damn cheese, please. Carne asada lacked seasoning, agua de jamaica was red water with a ton of sugar. Only really good thing about this experience is the service, but that may have been because it was dead. Location is awesome. Food is also overpriced.
(2)Emily G.
Friendly service, great food, awesome location and interior. I like that it's a family business and they remember you. It's often empty, but don't let that fool you. Food is good, slightly expensive though. Years ago it was a lot less expensive which first got me in the door, but the service keeps me coming back.
(4)Heidi C.
I recently ate here for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed the dish I ordered. I ordered the pollo loco which had a very delicious coconut cream sauce. It was rich and full of flavor. I would most definitely order this dish again. The only minor negatives I would say are: the prices are slightly steep in comparison to similar Mexican restaurants. The man who greeted us at the door was very friendly but our waiter didn't seem to be in as happy of a mood. The meal only came with two tortillas and I was automatically brought flour as they never asked me if I would prefer flour or corn.
(4)Hannah N.
Let me tell you about El Puerto. In a small, trendy town, mexi-restaurants come and go. el puerto I steadfast in its traditional Mexican cuisine. Say no to all other Mexican restaurants in the area. You will come back time and time again for their nachos, friendly greetings, culture, and great customer service. If you're visiting edmonds, swing by this fine establishment, and experience the finest in Mexican dining. (Their mojitos are awwwwwwesome!)
(5)Cortnie W.
My 13 dollar salad had lettuce chicken and cheese no dressing!!!!!! So dissapointed for a 13 dollar salad I will never go back
(1)Connie C.
While reading the other reviews, I was very shocked. I absolutely love this place!! Valentines day last year while all of the other restaurants in downtown Edmonds were requiring reservations, my boyfriend and I decided that we wanted to try this place out. Ever since then I have tried to go every other month or so. It's undoubtedly my favorite restaurant in Edmonds. The food, I think, is very authentic and delicious and the staff are beyond friendly. (I recommend straying toward the combos that include the enchiladas and tamales. Their tamales remind me of the ones that my grandma makes. Mwa! Delicioso.) When I walk in I am always greeted in a friendly manner and the waiters' that I have had always check to see How I am doing and are always asking if there is anything I need. Overall, it's a great restaurant for families as well as an occasional date night!!
(5)Carol H.
Went there for the first time ever on Saturday. Not many customers, several waiters. Service was so SLOW. Hey how can I get a glass of water in this place. No one bothers to ask " How is the food?" or "Is everything okay?" The food was okay, would have been really, really nice to have had a glass of water. Portions were generous, but the food was so, so. Rosita's they cannot hold a candle to. It took forever to finally get our bill. T.I.P. to insure prompt service. This place is lacking in prompt service. Did some shopping afterwards and asked around some of the businesses. There are a lot better Mexican Restaurants in Edmonds we were told. I left a dollar for the waiter, more out of guilt than anything. He did not even deserve that. Maybe if my sister and I decide to give them another shot we'll bring in our own water.
(2)Ryan K.
Some of the best customer service I have ever had! We had a large party and the staff were very friendly and provided excellent service. The food was pretty tasty and the selection was good as well but the service is what made this trip great!
(5)Michelle S.
I really appreciate the consistency and friendly environment here. Had to give them another star :)
(4)Mike A.
Had Fathers Day lunch with the family expected a crowd but was empty .Food is great and great service too. will go back !
(4)Donna S.
We came here with a group of 17 after the theater. The staff was amazing! The chips were hot and the sauces were yummy! Everyone's order came out at the same time and no one was disappointed. The shrimp was not over cooked, the servings were large and tasty. This was our second visit and we will be back. So fun to go back to edmonds for that hometown feeling.
(4)Sherry F.
Food was bad, I've gotten better Mexican food at Taco Bell . The pico de gallo tasted & smelled like it had citrus cleaning products in it. The service left a lot to be desired. The waiter was nice enough, but never around. On a positive not it was clean, even the bathroom and nice and warm on a cold day.
(1)Zac D.
Simply because of the fake ingredients. The vegetables are not very fresh and the sauce is just tomato sauce.
(2)Tyler E.
The salsa is hot but authentic and made mild by ordering a Pico De Gallo and mixing it with the salsa. As for the meal, I NEVER order anything but the Chicken Fajitas, they are simply amazing. By far the best I have had and I eat Mexican several times a week and have been to Mexico a dozen times....Get the Fajitas!! The other food is typical Mexican food...not amazing, but never bad. You know what you will get every time. Very fast service too, usually too fast but overall, I love El Puerto.
(4)Will E.
I went to this restaurant for the first time and it was very disappointing. I ordered the Taco Salad and it was terrible. The beef had no flavor and was very watery. I had to pay extra to get a shell with the Taco Salad. The salad consisted of meat, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese. It did not have dressing or sour cream, I would have had to pay extra for that. The salad had no flavor and the water from the beef ruined the shell and covered the bottom of the plate. Looking at the menu the prices seem reasonable, but you have to pay extra for stuff. My wife ordered Nachos and she had to pay extra for sour cream. I have had better meals at Taco Time.
(1)Jason L.
Good Mexican. What you'd expect from a Mexican joint. Salsa was a little different, but good and hot.
(3)Nick T.
Good food and very friendly staff. We will be back to explore the menu some more.
(4)T R.
Every visit is great! The food is good, I feel like I am eating at a family dinner. Fresh and homemade. The service is amazing, staff friendly and chef accommodating. When I ask for salsa for less heat I get a batch made just for me. I love this place.
(5)Steve D.
Kind of has an Azteca feel to it. Fast service and in the heart of Edmonds.
(4)First L.
This restaurant has been in downtown Edmonds under the same ownership for decades; I moved to Edmonds in 1988 and my family used to eat there every week. Went back recently for old times sake and it was exactly as I remembered. It's not gourmet or "fusion", just solid Mexican staple food at a reasonable price. The bottomless chips and salsa are fresh and delicious and the staff are always pleasant.
(5)Renee C.
Service was average. The food quality was not great, and the prices seemed very high for lunch. I ordered a combo with a chile relleno, and it was absolutely disgusting. It was basically strips of peppers with an egg crepe wrapped around it. I will not be back!
(2)Roland A.
We take a one-star review seriously. But, seriously we got really sick after eating here. Staff - very friendly! And the food tasted good. We had not eaten much that day, and had taken our dogs to the nearby dog park. We don't live in Edmonds and had not been here before. They have a great location. After we ate, an hour later we both started to feel sick. Details I will spare you, but we were not happy with our experience.
(1)Elizabeth S.
Very underwhelmed. Hardly any other customers in there. I had the chicken enchilada and beef taco. The chicken tasted like it came from a can. My husband did not care for his food either.
(2)Tom B.
Well, it's Rick Steves' go-to lunch spot, from what they say. And that dude is supposed to have dining recommendations all over the western world, right? Could be just that he works really close to here. And it also could be that that information has grown a bit dated. 'Cause I have to say, this place was dead at 8:30 on a Saturday night--a Saturday night when you had to score to get a parking spot in Edmonds. The staff was clearly burned out and just going through the motions until their shifts were over. That's fine; I've lived that exact reality as the waiter as well as as the customer. They were fast and efficient enough, for sure--just not exactly chipper. The food was alright. The flautas were getting a little dry, as was the carne asada. But the ingredients seemed to be in good shape, as did the seasonings. It was just that the cooking was probably a little on the rushed side--maybe a little too hot. But it turned out to be a Mexican food night (especially if you've already told me a million times you're not into Thai food), and this dovetailed perfectly with the theater three doors down. It's a serviceable-enough effort at food you can fairly well take or leave. I wouldn't go too far to hit this place, but if it's on the way and you need to eat, here you are.
(3)Laura B.
We were just craving some authentic mexican food and we found this place which is centrally located in Edmonds, WA. It was darn good. The staff were outstanding and prompt. Our waiter called us "Senoritas" and he used that perfect blend of english/spanish to make us feel that we were eating on the border. This restaurant should sell their picante salsa by the bottle. It is that good!! The decor is a bit appalling with a bright orange DIY faux finish paint job and cheap left over floral hotel carpet. The fake parrots hanging from the ceiling also add to the lack of style. The interior feels like a great dive bar somewhere along the US border. We did not seem to mind because the windows were large and the place is is in the middle of downtown. So you can look outside instead if you are not a fan of orange walls. There was this strange local man who seemed lonely and would yell out at the staff as if he knew them well - literally screaming about how he just came from church and "loved spending time alone in the peace and quiet." We thought for a minute we were on that tv show - "What would you do?" or "Candid Camera". We literally were looking for the cameras. The man was behaving in direct contrast to what he was saying he wanted. The man was so unique, obtrusive and incredibly loud - It was just so funny. The staff did their best to entertain him and ignore him at the same time. Every town has one of those local guys that lacks the social skills or boundaries necessary to just get along in life. So be warned - this place has great food and service - but is not quiet due to a very spirited local man who thinks the waiters are his best friends. It is obvious they did not feel the same way he did. We found our dining experience to be very entertaining. We will surely go back to this place.
(5)Andrew B.
Chips were stale, sangria was served to us with a fly in it. No redeeming qualities during my one and only visit. If you care about food you may not find anything here. Constructive criticism: Saturday night is probably a big business night, break out the fresh bag of chips.
(1)L R.
Solid 4 stars. I'd give them 4.5 if that was an option. Really good family Mexican restaurant. The food is much more authentic than most restaurants depending on how you order. You have the option to order more authentic food or less authentic food; your choice, they cater to their audience which is very appropriate for their location. Their sangria is wonderful as are the margaritas. I love their staff and it's our family's go to restaurant.
(4)Sonya L.
Went here a couple of nights ago with a friend. Despite living in Edmonds, I rarely seem to get myself into downtown Edmonds...so I was definitely happy to give this place a shot! The menu is pretty large, so I had a tough time making a choice. I ended up going with the chicken fajitas. They seemed a little pricey at just over $14, but when the food came I was beyond shocked at the amount of food there was. A gigantic sizzling platter of chicken, onions, and green peppers, as well as a full, large plate of rice, refried beans, pico de gallo, and guacamole. I was slightly overwhelmed, but ready to start stuffing my face! The food was VERY GOOD. The chicken was tender and moist and whatever marinade they used was great. The beans and rice were also tasty (though the rice was slightly dry). Was pleased that when I asked for no sour cream, I actually got DOUBLE guacamole instead. Bonus: I was able to order corn tortillas! Our waiter was awesome. Super friendly and sweet and he checked on us fairly often. Service was very fast - our food was ready in record time! Overall, I had a good meal here. I just finished my leftovers for today's lunch and they still tasted pretty darn good. I will likely be back!
(4)Cate B.
I went to El Puerto and ordered my food (I'd been there twice already), and I paid with my card like always. They came back a couple minutes later and told me it hadn't gone through, and that the card wasn't working. I was embarrassed and I gave them a different card. Later the next day I called my company and it turns out the card did work the first time! They charged me twice! So I went back to the restaurant and spoke with the manager and he ended up paying me cash on the spot. I was so shocked I took the money and I will definitely not be going back (Or I will pay with cash instead)!
(1)Patrice R.
The worst Mexican food we have ever eaten! Considering it is a third generation Mexican family - run restaurant, you'd expect the dishes to remotely authentic. The meals were served luke - warm and were flavorless.
(1)Arielle N.
Chips arrived frequently and the staff loved that we practiced our Spanish. The food was tasty, too, so it was a great stop after going hiking on the Olympic Peninsula all day! :)
(5)Veruca S.
The staff is outstanding. So if I had to rate this on the staff alone, i would give it five stars. However, I wasn't as impressed with the chicken mole I ordered. Usually the dish has a little bite to it. The recipe here has no bite and the flavor is rather one dimensional. I have yet to try other entrees. But for the price paid for the mole...I'm not sure I want to pay the asking price for just "ok" food. Will I be back? Most likely not.
(3)Shannon S.
Visiting my old town of Edmonds we stumbled across this Mexican restaurant and thought it would be a great experience. I absolutely love Mexican food and was less than thrilled with all of the food. Usually salsa given with the chips is of medium to mild flavor this was burning hot. I asked for some mild salsa and what we received was a cup of "salsa" that was so hot steam was coming off and it was in no way a salsa; possibly a mole? I thought it was just me but it also happened to the people next to me. Then I ordered a taco salad which was so underwhelming that I just gave up and ate what I could. The staff was less than pleasant and the prices where not that great either. I guess I should have saved myself some time by taking a clue of the many open tables.
(2)Jacklyn-Kate C.
Great place in downtown edmonds. Especially for lunch. Fast service and the food is excellent!! My fav. is actually their salsa.
(4)Justin L.
The food was mediocre at best and the service was awful. They acted as though I was putting them out by eating there. The waiter literally dropped the chip bowl on my table and stomped off. Like others have said, the food came oddly fast. Also, there were chunks of potatoes in my rice, enchilada, and even in the beans. Strange...
(1)Blair C.
Our lunch was tasty, prompt, and authentic. Wait staff was excellent.
(3)Tracy M.
Service is FIVE STARS. The food is just 3 stars. Hence my 4 star average review (honestly, this should probably only be 3 stars review, but the employees were super great). The people working here are fantastically friendly, very attentive, and very nice. They were prompt and took great care of us. They also allowed us to just hang out chatting for 45 minutes after we'd finished (there were some empty tables, so we didn't feel badly for taking up space). The food is perfectly average american-mexican stuff. The menu claims "Famous Fajitas." Not sure where they are famous. They were average. The green bell peppers and onions were fresh (which is great) but no real seasoning on them...just the oil from cooking them. The beef and chicken were fine, but nothing amazing. There wasn't any pico de gallo served, just an average watery salsa (decent amount of heat, though, which was nice). They actually list a Margarita Fresca on their menu, so I ordered that. It arrived a suspicious green, making me think it'd just be generic margarita mix (which is really only drinkable in the Slurpee format, not "on the rocks"). However, it tasted okay, at least. Not amazing, but better than I'd feared when seeing the color.
(4)Randi C.
Tried the many restaurants around and this is my favorite for mexican food. Great service, always friendly and good food. I also go here for my lunch breaks when I'm working and the food comes out fast so I'm never rushed or late.
(3)Nick R.
Average at best food, higher than average prices, fake smile service and they nick you 50 cents for refills of soda. I know the Mexican ain't great in the Northwest, but this was a big disappointment and won't be back.
(1)Ryan B.
Not horrible, not great. The staff is friendly but the food is not terrific. They do not give free refills on drinks (which makes no sense to me).
(3)Sarah M.
Edmonds is such a beautiful area! And I love this restaurant! My friend and I were looking for a place to grab dinner and thought Edmonds would be a nice change of pace from Bellevue/Kirkland/Redmond. As soon as we entered, we were immediately greeted by a very warm and friendly staff. We were seated immediately in a large booth and were brought water, tortilla chips, and salsa. The chips and salsa were just okay - they were SO SO SO spicy. Tasty, but SO hot. (I don't handle spice well...so they might not have been that bad...) I ordered a chicken burrito which came with refried beans and rice. Omg, how on earth did it come out so fast? I was super hungry so I'm glad it did - but it was less than 5 minutes! The food was awesome - it didn't seem as heavy as most Mexican food so I didn't feel like there was a brick in my stomach when I was done which was nice. The flavor was good, the beans were good, lots of cheese - all in all, a good meal. I did feel a little rushed because the food came out so fast, but no one said anything when we sat there for a while. I was a little surprised that Edmonds wasn't busier on a Saturday night...we got there around 6:30 and left around 8:30; when we first arrived, there was a big party so I thought the service would suffer but it didn't at all. By the time we left, there was no one left and we were basically the last ones in there. All in all, great experience. I will be back. :)
(4)Tony H.
We went to eat here on the recommendation of a friend. We had no idea that they were in a brand new location, only a week old. The food was outstanding, the service was great, and the prices were fair. We really enjoyed our meals, and plan to return here any time we have the desire for some good authentic Mexican food.
(5)Brian B.
This is one of the first places we ate at for lunch in Edmonds and we consider this a great find! The food is delicious and the service is outstanding! When we walked in the door we were treated like family friends. I was reminded of going to my grandma's house when the lady called me "mijo." We loved the food so much that we took my mother there. Being 100% Mexican, she's a hard sell on what we call "Mexican food" in this country. The food and the service won her over! I would recommend this place to anyone who is looking for good food and great service!
(5)Daniel J.
Waiter seated me next to a 1 1/2 foot walk through and they game us stale chips, they messed up on our food 2 times in a row, the food was bland as all hell. The berry Margareta that was made for my fiancée was so strong all that I could taste was the tequila, and the face that I felt like due to all the bugs I saw in the one sitting I would need a can of raid to help kill them all. I'm not going back and I hope that they read this.
(1)Kiana F.
Good food, friendly servers, and good drinks. Growing up in Edmonds, I've been here quite a few times, and I really enjoy the service here. The food is of course a plus too!
(4)Doug M.
The food is not very authentic and is pretty bland. I had chile verde and it was unlike any I had ever had, and I don't mean that in a good way. The prices are higher than other Mexican places I go. The service was good. Edmonds is strange in that restaurants don't have to be very good to stay in business.
(2)Stephanie K.
I would love for this place to be great, but it isn't. The staff is friendly and the location is great, but the food is 1) way overpriced and 2) pretty sub-par. I mean, I don't expect authentic Mexican from a place like this, but it's not just that the food isn't authentic. It's that it's just not good--the rice is dry, the entrees are bland and cold (yes, even straight from the kitchen), the veggies taste a bit past their prime, etc. I would recommend this as a place to bring kids, if you live nearby and want to get out for a quick meal. The service is friendly and extremely fast, and the food is covered in cheese, and is not spicy. But I don't recommend this place to adults who want Mexican food.
(2)Rachael S.
I really want this restaurant to do well, but it doesn't seem like it's even trying. The service is really good but the food is sub par. Really disappointing. The atmosphere is so basic and cliche. With Las Brisas just down the street, I fear El Puerto is doomed.
(2)Wes K.
Food is great and service is excellent. Chips and salsa is amazing. I have been coming here my whole life with my family and they treat you like family. Best Mexican restaurant/food in Edmonds.
(5)John R.
Free chips are a bit stale and the salsa sure is spicy! Drink refills are 50 cents. The food was okay but nothing stood out as exceptional.
(3)Greg N.
Classic Mexican out of can. Slightly better then taco bell.
(1)Sora B.
So, I really have no idea what some of the other reviewers are about, saying that the food here is "bland." The food is really flavourful -- they just don't treat "jalapeño" as the only possible spice a food can have, unlike most Mexican restaurants in the Seattle area! Yeah, the prices are a little high, but the portions are HUGE, and the leftovers are always tasty the next day, too. And, as most others have mentioned, the service is wonderful; the waitstaff are pleasant and happy to joke with you a bit. To be honest, I'm really picky about Mexican food -- I used to live in Texas and I'm used to Tex-Mex, not the junk you get at Todo Mexico or whatever. This place is about half of the Mexican restaurants I'm willing to eat at in Seattle; it's a solid four stars in my book.
(4)Dylan C.
The service was good here but the food is definitely not as good as Las Brisas, our usual Mexican restaurant in Edmonds.
(3)Rodney W.
My girlfriend, now wife introduced me to El Puerto over 10 years ago. The family ran business has been a Friday night tradition for my wife's family "forever" and now I find myself sending a text message to my wife on a Friday saying "I want to go to El Puerto tonight!" Let's keep in mind that my wife has known the El Puerto family since she was just a kid, and as I attempt to reflect on the restaurant from a neutral point of view I can proudly say that El Puerto is one of our favorites: Pros: -This might be Mexican Comfort Food? Well, that is OK with me! -Shrimp plates are all very good. My favorite is Camerones Al Mojo! Option B. Carne Asada! -Great welcome when you come through the door. -Domestic beers in the $3.ish range. -Mexican beers in the $4.ish range. -Always have a Margarita special. Big glasses if you want one! -Simple, but friendly atmosphere! A very diverse and friendly crowd for the quaint little waterfront town called Edmonds. -In the heart of Edmonds. -I always find parking, but then again, I am in the company of an Edmonds girl. -My kids are always happy there. We give them a plate of rice and beans and they are all smiles! If they are good, we line up some soap-a-pea'as (sp?). The sugar buzz is about right until they get home for bed. -Walking distance from anywhere in downtown Edmonds. -The owners are genuinely nice people that have been at this for a very long time! -Waiters are authentic. Happy, efficient, friendly and gracious! Cons: -Not closer to home. -You won't find any Mexican "fusion" approaches here. There are plenty of places in trendy areas to enjoy those! -They don't delivery to Broadview (North Seattle). -I'll probably get in trouble for this, but I would like to have a margarita without margarita mix. Bring-on the lime juice, triple sec and premier tequila. I'll pay for it!
(5)JC D.
So I get it, the staff is friendly, but I hate being checked on 33 times during my meal. Food is okay. I like that they have whole beans. We both ordered the avocado tostadas. It came with your typical 1/2 pound of cheddar cheese. The rice was dry, and here's the trick to knowing if your rice was microwaved or dry: slide your rice over and if it's wet under they poured some water on it before sticking it in the micro. Sure it sweats, but you can tell the difference even if you don't know what you're looking for. The margaritas were cheap and huge. As far as taste, they were okay. I don't like my drinks to be overpowered by the alcohol, but they needed a bit more of a kick. The prices are somewhere in the middle. View is great.
(3)Matt R.
These guys are so incredible. Sick of chains? Not feeling like paying for Mexican food that is all beans and rice and salsa? Go here immediately. First of all, their chips are hot and so is their salsa. It's the type that you taste and think, "Not too hot" but burns your tongue and lets you feel it in your face for a while. It will clear your sinuses and make you sweat. The food is done perfectly. I had ostrich fajitas. They were delicious. The ostrich looks like beef and has the chewiness of it but tastes like some kind of hybrid meat. It didn't taste like chicken. It didn't taste like beef. It tasted like, umm, ostrich! If you go here, get it, you won't regret it. Also, for those of you who enjoy alcohol, they have the giant margaritas that come in a glass the size of your head. In short, don't go anywhere else if you're in Edmonds and are looking for Mexican food.
(5)Rodger C.
Went there once 5 years ago when visiting. Now we have to go back whenever we come up this way. In general, the food is excellent! The 'chili con queso' is something not to miss. The corn tortilla's are better than most others. The wait staff are courteous and efficient. We were a party of seven and everyone walked away happy! Oh, don't forget the flan!
(5)Ryan K.
Great service and the exact food you would expect from a Northwest Mexican restaurant.
(4)meg w.
They charge for refills on coke without telling you. Their food is overpriced and decient at best. The dining room is crowded.
(2)Brandon S.
I hate to do this because I'm pretty protective of my neighborhood and I like to prop it up when possible, but I have to knock some stars off of my review of El Puerto. The last few times we've been there the food has had some funky tastes. Beans that taste like coffee grounds, beef that tastes like chicken and fish, in general, food that doesn't taste like it should. And though I'd known how expensive it was before, it became glaringly clear just how pricey this place is after a couple not so good meals. They love to nickel and dime you here, probably a sign of the times. And I found out something new - no free refills on soda. So I accidentally paid $3.50 for two glasses of soda that were primarily ice. That's a nice profit on about 10 cents of syrup. I love walking downtown and getting lunch or dinner, but other than bar food, nowhere is worth it anymore. There's really no place to get a good lunch downtown for a decent price and dinner is even more ridiculous. El Puerto used to be an option, but after my last visit, I think El Puerto has officially been written off as a place to eat and now there really isn't much left.
(2)Travis A.
I don't understand the poor reviews. Four of us ate last night. Great service. The owner gave us a free deep fried ice cream on our next visit. The food was well made with quality ingredients. Not huge portions either. Me esposa gave it 5 stars I give it 4+.
(5)Caroline S.
I was immediately impressed with the excellent service and was not disappointed when my food arrived. Starting with the pica de gallo to the carne asada, everything was really good. Even though this place is far from home, I would not hesitate to come back!
(4)Bert H.
The service is ridiculously fast, the food is delicious, and the staff are friendly and talented. When I say the service is fast, I mean it is frighteningly fast. Ordering for take-out, I have yet to place an order and get there before my food is ready. It's always there, hot and ready for me, as soon as I get there. I had feared that the quality of the meal itself would suffer for this speedy service, a fear that was quickly put to rest. The various dishes I've tried are well seasoned, nicely portioned, and have never failed to satisfy my taste buds. The only negatives I could mention would be parking. If you're just popping in to pick up some take-out, parking in that area can be a pain.
(4)Girl D.
The service was pleasant and attentive, and the place was clean and bright enough, but it couldn't make up for eating what was one of the least appealing Mexican meals I've ever had. My companion and I could hardly eat the chips. They were cold and cardboard-like, and the salsa didn't help us much. The salsa was that rare combination of prohibitively hot and flavorless. Dunno how they did it. OK, I admit, I typically can't handle anything hotter than 1 or 2 stars spicy. But usually, I'll eat salsa even if it's painful, because of it's flavorful, garlicky, fresh-veggieistic goodness. But this salsa was all torment with no payoff. After two searing hot chip-dunks with no flavor to redeem them, we pushed the chips and salsa aside. My companion's enchiladas were small and dull, once excavated from the BP-oil-spill-sized pile of melted cheese on top of them. His small combo cost a disturbingly high $12, $10 of which appeared to be cheese. Not worth it. The chicken in my chalupa was tender enough, but again, almost completely bland. Where's the flavor of garlic and onions? Where's the tomatoey, cuminy, herby taste of the simmering broth? Did they dump the chicken straight from a can into the chalupa shell? For the prices charged here, which are almost double that of comparable Mexican places like Torero's or Azteca, the food is very forgettable.
(2)Andy R.
My lunch steak fajitas came out Luke warm and looked like strips of beef jerky. They charge for soda refills which is unusual these days. Their only saving grace was the salsa and pico de gallo which was very tasty and different than most family Mexican restaurants.
(2)D.J. Y.
Muy bueno! Great service and even better salsa!! A fine family run restaurant, we've enjoyed coming here for many years now. Interesting side note, they jumped on the "leaner is better" bandwagon many moons ago and still serve ostrich! You know the ever present 3rd white meat!?!? Haven't had the guts to try this out yet, looks just like very lean beef, but I guess it tastes like chicken?? (No idea actually!) As I mentioned the salsa is solid as are the Mexican standards, service is always friendly and they keep your chips and water filled all the time, which I like. And be forewarned, they use "yellow" cheese in copious amounts, if you no likey the "yellow" cheese, move along people, move along.... The other knock is there isn't a parking lot so you have to search along the mean streets of Edmonds! Watch out for those aggressive Ferry travelers!! ;-) Well worth the trip to olde Edmonds.
(4)Nat B.
I love El Puerto. Simple, friendly, quick service, good food, good prices, large servings. I eat lunch here often, come here for dinner when we're too tired to cook but want something simple. El Puerto is an asset to Edmonds, and by far the best Mexican in town. Also in a great location if you're shopping in Edmonds, or just wandering around town enjoying yourself.
(4)Michael W.
Lunch having a chicken taco salad ($8) and flank steak ($14). The salad was cafeteria style (boring and bland) while the beef was good but very small for the price. The venue seems to ride success on traditional, constant customers looking for typical American style Mexican. Its just ok, but not worth the price. Find another spot for good Mexican unless just ok is fine with you.
(2)Sarah D.
I work right down the road so that had a great chance to wow me and get repeat business, but wowed I was not. I am kicking myself since I always check Yelp before going anywhere and I was in a hurry, slacked and it cost me $45 for a craptastic lunch. For starters, the prices are crazy, especially for what you get. It was around $12 for some tasteless enchiladas that I could have made better at home. For the 2 of us to have 2 entrees, sodas and the worst flan I have ever had was $45. I was shocked to see that we had been charged for soda refills. At most Mexican restaurants, unless it comes in a can, soda refills are free. When you ask the staff specifically for a refill, it is an excellent opportunity to say, "I am sorry, we don't have free refills". I would be a little irked at their cheapness, but I would understand and that would be the end of it. Instead, I found the whole issue to be very deceptive. I brought it up in a non-confrontational way and the waiter pretty much shrugged it off. Cheap tasting, flavorless food for too much money with a little extra deception on the side - no thanks.
(1)Drew G.
If you hate fast service, friendly staff, great tasting food, well made drinks, and a comfortable Mexican environment, don't come here. El Puerto has been the place my family goes when we want good Mexican food. The service is quick and witty, with the classic waiters who eye down the newly legal drinkers ordering fruity margaritas. The chip n dip classic is full of freshly made tortilla chips and quality fresh salsa. I would recommend the virgin strawberry margarita (comes with whip!), and the double chicken enchilada combo plate. Its what I get every time and I leave stuffed and happy. Parking is street only, but most times the roads around the place have a few openings at any time there isn't a festival going on. This isn't some old Azteca knock off, its El Puerto!
(5)Sondra N.
Excellent food, fast service, friendly atmosphere, giant drinks, what more is there??? Did I mention the great food?
(5)Just Y.
Nice enough dining floor with ample seating, none of which are out of the way or in a dark corner. Pleasant staff that we found attentive enough but with weird timing for drink orders, ordering, and post-delivery follow up. The food is OK, perfectly acceptable if you happen to be in downtown, but not something you'd go out of your way for to fill a Mexican craving.
(3)Mindy W.
Another yelp suggestion, I've had this one bookmarked for a month and finally had the opportunity to visit this past weekend. Overall, I was unimpressed, but I'll mark out some pros and cons. Pros: - Like everyone else said, chips and salsa are goooooood. Chips are hot, salsa is hot, they're good. - Margaritas are frickin amazing. I had one cadillac margarita (to the tune of $10) and it knocked me on my ass. There was a HUGE amount of tequila in it, I was very happy! Cons: - Food was decent, but nothing really amazing. Our group of five tried five different dishes and no one was really impressed by anything they ate. It was good, don't get me wrong, but for $15 a plate, I could have gotten the same thing at Azteca for half the price. - Expensive, like I said, $15 for an entree for so-so food. Our bill, for five people, was $110, not inlcuding a tip. - Service was crappy. I read all the reviews saying that the service was great, but they were rude to us, messed up our orders, and after delivering our check (as we were still eating), didn't come back to check on us at all. Seemingly, just tried to get us to leave, when the place was only half full. Will I go back? Probably not. If I do go back it will be just for the margaritas, that's for sure.
(3)Neil G.
This place has been here as long as I've lived in Edmonds, which is now going on over 20 years. We ate here years ago when we first moved to Edmonds. Back then, I didn't think it was anything to write home about, especially having grown up in southern California where Mexican food is excellent and reasonably priced. Back then, I thought the food here was sort of blah with too much melted cheese (like they do at Azteca). With all the other good Mexican food alternatives available around here, we never went back. But it was one of those nights when the wife says "let's go out to eat" and you know you better say yes because when the wife says that, she doesn't feel like cooking. So I said "why don't we try El Puerto, we haven't been there in years." I ordered a chili verde burrito and my wife ordered chicken fajitas. It was all good, serviceable Mexican food. My chili verde had nice chunks of pork but the verde could have use a little more pizzaz. I think El Puerto is a little pricey for Mexican food, $16 for a super combo plate (four items), seriously? My burrito was $11, came with rice and refried beans. The service here is very good, no question about that. And, there's an abundance of booths by the window so you can watch the Edmonds foot traffic stroll by. Who knows, you might even see Rick Steves or the Edmonds Beach Water Temperature-Taker Dude (aka Captain Nemo, or just plain Bill).
(3)Natalie C.
I have to admit the service is great, super fast and friendly. But I should have known when the first sound you hear is a can opener that the food was going to be meh. Salsa was good we order the Jumbo margaritas for $5.50 no joke they were huge and really good, but the chicken nachoes were pretty average and they really lack ambience. It needs music or something more then all of the waiters just standing around watching you.
(3)Letitia T.
The family who owns this restaurant is so nice that I hate to give it less than 5 stars. My only complaint is that the food comes too fast. This is great when you need to hurry at lunch time, but not so great when you'd like to linger at dinner. No sooner do you order drinks than your food comes. Deliciious food, but I like to linger over dinner. The locals like to eat here on Halloween night to see the parade of costumes that go by the huge picture windows during the downtown Edmonds trick-or-treat festivities!
(3)Sean M.
Food was good. The drinks were large and the best part about the evening. Service was hit and miss. We came on a busy night so I can forgive them forgetting about us a couple of times. The decor is standard strip mall family Mexican. Nothing special, with lots of colorful stuff hanging from the ceiling. The salsa here is very good and can be purchased in larger containers to take home.
(3)Natasha S.
I used to come here regularly ten years ago with a family friend and I remember delicious food, superb service, and super-warm hosts with lots of smiles coming out to talk to us. The restaurant was always packed and it had such a cozy atmosphere. Not so much anymore. Don't get me wrong, they'll still seat you immediately (usually because when I go there, no one else seems to be around just yet) and are polite, the food is okay, but something is missing. The prices have gone up since I was a regular and in my opinion, the "meh" food is not worthy of the price increase. Food is still on the table within ten minutes or less which is always appreciated when having Mexican food (I want that plate HOT), but I will only eat here when I'm staying in Edmonds and am feeling too lazy to venture elsewhere. At least I can nip into the sweetie shop nearby to get myself a little something for dessert later...
(3)Suzi S.
I love walking into a restaurant and having the owner greet me and tell me that I can have anything I want, I need only ask. This is exactly what happened the first time I walked into El Puerto. The staff is warm and friendly x10. The food is good, but I do have to agree with some of the other reviewers that stated that it is expensive for Mexican food. There is no bar to sit at, but they do serve beer, wine and hard alcohol. This is the heart of downtown Edmonds so you'll have to find parking on the street.
(4)AJ R.
You call this place Mexican? More like MEXICANT! I live walking distance to this place and just the smell makes me want to walk the other way- but wait- I have not tried the Ostrich that they LOVE to advertise, maybe thats what Ive been missing! So, ya, never have had a good meal here. Everything is pretty much ground -beef/chicken- maybe thats because of all the senior citizens that live in Edmonds. I have eaten here on a few different occasions- 1st time by choice, the other times not. I wish so much this place was good- someone must like it, its been here a long time. I guess if you want your traditional AMERICAN/AZTECA mexican this place will do the trick.
(1)Annette K.
My husband and I love this restaurant! We go there alot on Mondays and he has the chicken enchilada special, which he loves. I have had the quesadillas and a steak fajita salad and they were both great. The chips are good, and the salsa is too hot for me but has a good flavor. The pico de gallo is to die for; plenty of onion, cilantro and lime flavor. We have had margaritas and tequila sunrises, both of which were great. They have happy hour from noon until sometime in the early evening (can't remember the time) and you can get a huge and very tasty margarita for 5.00; can't beat it! I would recommend this restaurant to anyone in Edmonds who is craving good Mexican food.
(5)Trisha N.
I've been coming here since I was a kid and now bring my own kids here. It's my 7 year old's favorite restaurant. I wouldn't know authentic from non-authentic Mexican food but I do know what tastes good and the Chicken Fajitas are absolutely amazing. I wish I knew what spices they use on the chicken... whatever they do, it works. I have them twice a month and would have them every week if I could afford to! Not that this place is expensive. The fajites come with beans, cheese, rice, guac, etc, a HUGE plate, plus the chicken/onion/green pepper combo and flour tortillas... It's three meals for me. I can never finish it all even though I want to. The owners are incredibly nice as is the staff, most of whom have worked there for years. The service is right on, the place is clean, good location (though parking isn't great compared to other places in the suburbs, better than downtown Seattle, of course). Oh, and the sopapillas are a good treat. When we took my 2 year old for dinner to celebrate his birthday, they brought him a huge ball of fried ice cream with a candle on the top, for free. He loved it.
(5)Diane K.
Being from Texas it is hard to find any type of decent Mexican food in this area but El Puerto comes in close. Service is great. We have always had good food there.
(4)Carl S.
My family spends a great deal of time down in the Edmonds Bowl. This is often THE place we go out as a family. Besides having fine tasting food and friendly staff, they enjoy kids. My son always feels welcome. It's always a pleasure to go.
(4)Jennifer R.
Eh. I don't know it my palate is more sophisticated now or if the food was better 8-10 years ago... I remember the food being decent but today that was not the case. I had the chili colorado and it sucked. The meat was a bit dry, the sauce bland and uninspired.
(2)amy c.
Severely overpriced Mexican food. The Cadillac Margarita that 3 out of 4 of us had tasted like a virgin for the over $9 we paid for each. The food was sloppy and there wasn't one thing that we had that would ever bring us back to this restaurant. I know that is doesn't cost $14 for rice, beans, cheese and a tortilla. I hope there is better Mexican food in Edmonds.
(1)Laurie W.
I was so craving mexican food and a good margarita and I was beyond disappointed. The chips were awful - I've never tasted a tortilla chip like that in my life. The salsa was sad. The service was completely unremarkable. The margarita was ok. Everyone at our table just look at each other when eatting dinner - unbelieveably unmexican food. Save your money. Go to Taco Time or get a TV Dinner. The food will match your expectations and be better than what you get at El Puerto
(1)Alice H.
Every time I go here they have the friendliest service! I absolutely love their Salsa! The salsa can get spicy, but perfect for me. I can't say anything for all the other meals served here, because every time I come here I order the Chicken Fajita's or I order the Chicken Fajita Burrito, and I love them! I guess that is obvious because it is what I order every time! So if you are a Fajita lover I highly recommend trying them out!
(4)Lauren W.
This is our family's usual place for Mexican, the service is friendly and the food is fantastic and served quickly
(5)Kim C.
Someone complained about the food coming too fast? that's a plus in my book. I've been coming here for 15 years. I bring my kids and the food comes right away so there's no complaints from them. The food is always great, try the chicken chimichangas! delish! The other thing I love is that you get enough guac and sour cream, they dont skimp on that like most places. My only complaint is that the soda is not free refills. With salsa, you kinda need to refill those sodas! Otherwise,
(4)