Tapatio Mexican Grill Menu

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Visit below restaurant in Newcastle for healthy meals suggestion.

Visit below restaurant in Newcastle for healthy meals suggestion.

  • MR L.

    This place was a pleasant surprise for both my husband & I as we were expecting it to be a typical--as in greater America's idea of Mexican food--Mexican restaurant. This restaurant served homemade chips & tortillas as well as homemade mole. Even most of the Latino markets that have taquerias don't offer fresh, homemade tortillas. The menu offered regional favorites from our Southern neighbors as well as the "typical" fair. I had the Mole Poblano ($16) & my husband had the Enchilada de Guadalajara ($15). Both were exceptional for the price, in portions & flavor (however, they do get you on the extras--$4.50 for a ramekin of guacamole). My husband is extremely picky about his homeland food & was impressed with Tapatio. However, I give them only 4 stars for a couple of MINOR things--service was acceptable (neither good/bad) as we had to ask for, then wait on coffee refills. Also, while the mole was delicious the chicken was just a little tough. Although we don't live in the area, we'll definitely be back next time we're in the neighborhood! Lastly (this may seem trivial or even ridiculous to some) the restrooms were exceptionally clean. (I'm starting to include this in my reviews as I believe there is a correlation between how clean the overall establishment is based on the cleanliness of their bathrooms!)

    (4)
  • Matthew T.

    Awesome happy hour prices! The food is great and good selection of beers to choose from. I live across the street and always have a good time swinging by. The only reason not 5 stars is it can be a little loud when the place is more on the packed side due to the open seating area. But this doesn't take away from all the other great aspects.

    (4)
  • Sheri F.

    Tapatio is the typical Americanized version of Mexican food, on the same level as Azteca. We used them to cater an event. When they returned for the second trip to set up, they were 15 minutes late. When I called to talk to the manager when it was nearing time for the party to start, she told me that her staff had left and he should arrive soon. She didn't issue an apology or make it up to us. It didn't impact the party so we didn't pursue a remedy. The staff member who served at the event, set it up and cleaned up did a fantastic job. He was fast, polite and courteous, even patient with unruly kids. The steak in the fajitas was OK, and the guacamole was OK. I asked the guests for honest feedback, and many said it was all right. I found out later that they offer homemade, fresh tortillas if you ask for them, which we didn't. Something to remember for later. Food: 3 Service: 4

    (3)
  • Austin G.

    Coming from Washington, DC (where good Mexican food is few and far between), I never expected Seattle to have good Mexican. I was wrong. This Mexican restaurant is in a strip mall so you assume it is good and it was. My wife and I ordered the trip fajita for two and it was more than enough food for us. The flour tortillas were excellent (Thought my complaint at every Mexican restaurant is they don't give you enough tortillas to start with!). The margs were good. The only thing that was not good, and hence the three star rating, was the service. Several times we had to call our waiter over to get his attention. Also, the chips and salsa were awesome, especially the salsa!

    (3)
  • Alison M.

    As much as I use to love this place, I have to give my honest feedback about my recent visit. The food is pretty TexMex but the portions are good for the prices. Today I asked for extra salsa, it was never brought. Okay no big deal, then my son dropped his fork shortly after his food arrived so for 15 minutes we attempted to flag down our sever who was catering to the larger grouped tables. Never once did he follow up with anything after our food arrived. I will not be returning here after they left us waving our hands in the air. I hate to say I only tipped $1 because I did not want to wait another 15 minutes for my change to get lost in translation.

    (1)
  • Brandy S.

    Maybe the people giving lower ratings for this restaurant's food are used to horrible WA state Mexican and it's just not what they're used to? We just moved here from So Cal and are used to very authentic, no frills Mexican which is exactly what this place is. The beans, rice and tortillas are always a dead giveaway and they were perfectly homemade. I ordered machaca con huevos (shredded beef and scrambled eggs with bell pepper and onion / TRY FINDING THAT ON A NON AUTHENTIC MENU) and it tasted just like it does from my father in laws skillet. My husband ordered an enchilada and it was probably the best we've EVER had (2nd to only the ones he makes at home). Hands down, the best Mexican food in greater Seattle (we've tried SEVERAL) and right up there with some of the best we've had in Southern California and even down in Mexico. The service was also very sweet (I got the impression it was a middle aged husband and wife), they were very warm and friendly, very professional and very prompt. Our new favorite! Brandy

    (5)
  • Marie M.

    Ew. No. No. No. Not ever again. I've never explained to a manager and a couple servers why they're not getting tipped or how they all around suck. We get sat by one person. Drink order taken by another. New guy brings drinks. 20ish minutes later I flag someone down to take our order. 45 minutes later the guy who brought our drinks brought us our food. Saw someone vacuuming but other than that, saw no one for about an hour. Finally another new person brings our bill. I go to the front to pay, ask for the manager. Apparently, he was our server. Uhm, where were you then??? we didn't him ONCE. And he's the manager? What. A. Joke.

    (1)
  • Holli M.

    Service is fast. Chips and salsa good with some heat. Ordered a chicken chimichanga good flavor and soft meat just the tortilla was not fried to brown. Felt more like a burrito

    (4)
  • AT C.

    This place reminds me of Azteca restaurants and other Mexican-American chain restaurants. Overpriced and overhyped. Not so authentic. Food in Mexico isn't like this. But, if you are used to Mexican-American food, then by all means go here.

    (2)
  • TJ L.

    Was in a new area, came across "Tapatio's" in Bellevue tonight. I had enchiladas Guadalajara the flavors were wonderful. My daughter had the Molcajete , (see photo) which could have sent both of us. Great grilled flavor. Their rice is a mild yet a complex flavor . Nice quiet atmosphere all around good food ,good tasting tea and very attentive wait staff. If we're ever back in this area we're definitely stopping by again.

    (4)
  • Skip W.

    Service was very good. Chips and salsa were very good. The fajita steak burrito was fantastic. I enjoyed this restaurant very much.

    (4)
  • Jonathan V.

    For the seattle area, and not being close to the southern california mexican food capitol, food here is solid. Chips and salsa are fantastic!!! Prices are a bit high, but this is the newcastle/bellevue area. I have been multiple times over the years and always enjoy!

    (5)
  • Xochitl M.

    Is excellent, we love come here with my family and the food is so delicious! We love this restaurant in newcastle

    (5)
  • Aaron L.

    Hot plates! With a strong margarita to my left and hot tortillas to my right, I am ready to eat my fajitas and el pastor tacos. Located in the QFC side plaza on coal creek in Newcastle, this little gem has some rather tasty Mexican food. The staff was very attentive and quick on any thing i needed. The ambiance was not super fancy but fit for a restaurant that is located where its at. I ordered el pastor tacos due to recently coming back from LA and having el pastor street tacos. Tapatio was not too far off from the street tacos in yummy taste. Coming on a hot plate with 3 tacos, a family size portion of re fried beans, as well as some lettuce and tomatoes. Sour cream and guac does not seem to come standard with my dish. The girl friend decide to get the sizzling Fajitas. These we really well done and the beef was very tender. These portions were of giant portions. Was able to pack for lunch the next day! Overall experience was good.

    (4)
  • Ted K.

    The food here is excellent and bountiful. Some of the best tortillas and salsa I've had at a Mexican restaurant in WA. Flavors are bold, loads of cheese as any good Mexican place should have, and the drinks were tasty. Service here is a bit hit or miss. Restaurant can get fairly crowded as its one of the most popular in the area.

    (4)
  • Young C.

    Just an average Mexican spot in my opinion. We got the carne asada, mariscos ala diabla and some nachos. Carne asada was ok, a little too chewy. The a la diabla was ok. The nachos were horrible.

    (3)
  • Megan Y.

    It's no secret that this place does great business. They serve people what they want: fairly good Mexican food and strong drinks in a timely fashion. Seriously, they have the timing down. You may have to wait a bit to get a table, but once seated the food comes out in no time. At the top of the cons list is the parking. They share a too small lot with the rest of the strip mall, which makes for tight spots and not very many. Also, I think the portions can be a bit larger for the money. Sometimes they use very large platter plates with smaller dishes on it, to give the presentation value of a big dish without having to give out that much food. It's smart, but I'm not fooled. That said, there is a huge selection to choose from and I'm sure you can find your favorite dish here. I love the mole polano (sp?) with flour tortillas. And I will be back for those super strong margaritas.

    (4)
  • Kevin S.

    I went here with my seven year old son for lunch. I ordered a margarita, which tasted like a Mr.&Mrs. T mix - no pride in margaritas here. I ordered a one taco and one enchilada combo. They gave me two tacos with an enchilada, so more than I asked for. I was hungry, so I thought this would be fine, but the food is below average. My son had a nacho dish, but only ate about 25% of it. The food was a 2 out of 5 stars. It was difficult getting service even with only three other tables occupied in the restaurant. I had to bring my check to the front to pay it - I think the waitress forgot about us. Definitely not recommended.

    (1)
  • Jamon B.

    Meh. It's fine but not great.

    (3)
  • Nicole O.

    I regularly frequent this restaurant. It's pretty good. The chips are good but the salsa can be wayyyy too hot. I guess it depends on who makes it that day? I like the taquitos and totopo salad (but get black beans instead of the refried). The margaritas are decent, they're a little pricy for the little amount of alcohol they have in them. But the staff is great! It really makes up for any shortcomings. I will definitely continue to go here!

    (3)
  • Gladys C.

    Love this place!! Good food and good service, I appreciate the fresh homemade tortillas and the hot salsa is my very fav

    (5)
  • Allison P.

    Nice neighborhood restaurant. They have a fair selection of vegetarian options on the menu and the staff is great!

    (5)
  • ali y.

    Amazing! Yum tum yum. Food is fast and full of flavor. Drinks are awesome. Love this place.

    (5)
  • David B.

    A kids-friendly place, staff and menu. Good Mexican food as far as our French-Chinese-American family can tell. Kids ate most of their plate which is not an easy feat.

    (4)
  • red a.

    We love this place! We always get prompt and courteous service no matter how busy they are. We've never had a bad meal here and some dishes are outside the typical US Mexican fare you usually find. Perhaps some of these are traditional dishes that don't usually make it north of the border.

    (5)
  • Miles A.

    Place has great mexican food. Been coming here for 20+ years. They buy local produce from newcastle fruit and produce down the street ( worth a visit! Ask for "damu" and see whats in season) what I love most is the margaritas! They also have happy hour and tvs to watch the game. Their mole dishes and stuffed pablano stand out.

    (5)
  • Debby J.

    Always fresh and yummy. Had the fajitas last night and they didn't disappoint. Brought home some carnitas for the husband and they even packed chips and salsa to go.

    (4)
  • Nancy S.

    Are these people getting paid to give stars?? Would not recommend this place or define it as real mexican food. We eat mexican a lot..doesn't even come close. Took son and his wife there for their birthday...sorry kids..

    (1)
  • Jon A.

    Warnings in the menu (somewhere below the beverage list, I think): 1) First 2 bowls of chips are complimentary. Further bowls may be subject to charge. - They didn't charge us for the 3rd bowl, so I'm assuming this is to prevent people from just ordering bowl after bowl of free chips and salsa. However, another Mexican restaurant does not have the same condition. 2) $3 charge for split plates. - They do serve food in large platters, but $3 to split a plate? 3) $3 consumption fee per person. Again, is this about the free chips? My gripes: 1) Place was more than half empty but we were stuck all the way in the back. Possibly because of my 2 younger kids, as they did seat more families with kids in that area? 2) When you tell me you'll bring more napkins, please bring more napkins. 3) Shouldn't have to beg for refills on bottomless drinks. Just because we're way in the back doesn't mean you stop checking on us. 4) The caramones a la diabla tomato sauce tasted so much like it came from a can. The kids seemed to enjoy their nachitos, caramones baja, and tacos de pescado. The best one was the daughter's chili colorado - it was as tasty as it was tender. Came here for a new experience because of the five stars. Disappointed I couldn't do so as well.

    (2)
  • Morgan P.

    My family eats here very consistently. Always hot and tasty tex-mex style food and the staff is incredibly friendly. What I like is that it's a family type of place, all age ranges are here and the noise never gets out of control. Great kids menu and they always give crayons for the ones who fidget. I really enjoy their carne asada, which come with just the right amount of sides and tortillas to make mini tacos. My wife almost always gets the combo plate with burritos and chimichangas, very tasty and plenty I meat and cheese. I only wish they had a small bar of some sort. It would be great to come in at happy hour or even late night and have a margarita with some chips and salsa.

    (4)
  • Merrilee B.

    I've been here a few times and thought the food was pretty good. They are also fast and kid friendly. However, as soon as I left the restaurant this time I felt queasy and spent the rest of the night and next day violently ill. I'm not sure I can ever return.

    (2)
  • Marlo H.

    I used to work here for 12 years. I can tell you the food is fresh and tasty, the kitchen is CLEAN, the decor is modern and the environment is fun and friendly. Some recommendations are Pollo al Carbon, spinach enchiladas, grilled chicken salad (I crave the dressing and also available in shrimp), camarones al moho de ajo with Carne Asada and my husband loves the Molcajete. So if you're in the New Castle area definitely try Tapatio. There is also a Factoria location, but this is the one that is close to my heart.

    (5)
  • KT P.

    Awful. I have been on a quest to find good Mexican food since moving from San Diego. I'm starting to wonder if people up here have ever had good Mexican food. The fish tacos were swimming in sauce that had way too much lime in it. This caused the tacos to fall apart. The fish was in giant chunks and not flavorful at all. The hubs got the tacos al pastor. Same issue with no flavor and falling apart. The rice was bland and flavorless. Lastly, the queso fundito was not so fun. We got the order to go and it was a giant congealed mess of disgusting by the time I got home. Will not be returning and the hunt for good Mexican continues.

    (1)
  • Steve Y.

    great neighborhood mexican restaurant. they make their own tortillas in house. food is always high quality and served quickly. friendly staff.

    (4)
  • Michael G.

    Tapatio really went 180 degrees from our last visit. Committed our Friday night to hopefully enjoying some quality Mexican food, good tequila, atmosphere, etc... from our last visit. First, it was so packed it seemed the entire city of Newcastle and maybe Bellevue was there. It was extremely loud, leading to stressed staff members and and ultimately crappy experience for us. The hostess just stared at me as I approached the podium for starters. We got in early enough at about 530 to be immediately seated but by the end of the meal, there were dozens of people waiting outside and cars in about every parking spot. Our waiter either a) didn't speak english as his first language or b) was stressed by the rush or most likely c) both. As instructed by the menu, I ordered a "flight" of my favorite liquor, tequilla. It comes with sangrita, which he didn't know what that was. Either that or see a) above. He proceeds to bring out a shot of tequilla, a shot of pure lime juice and a shot of the "sangrita" (which looked like kool-aid). At this point I asked for the manager, who was nice and explained that yes, more shots of tequilla were coming (mini-shots to be technical for the "flight") and ultimately just took the charge off of our tab. Without this effort, I would have easily rated the night 2 stars. Ordered some kind of chicken entree which turned out to be burned chicken breasts covered in what looked like cheese out of a bag. The disappointment just started to roll together at this point. Ordered the flan for a last hope for joy but alas... it was also burnt. Although our first experience during the week was positive, I'm not sure I'd ever try to come back here on the weekend. When I shell out for a nice mexican place, I want to enjoy a healthy amount of good tequila and have authentic mexican food. Because of the insane amount of customers this night, this was not possible.

    (3)
  • Jaymee M.

    It's weird that I have never written a review for this place. I have been coming here for almost 5 years. It is a quick place to grab lunch by my work. It's decent. Nothing that will blow your socks off, just typical Mexican food. The shredded beef is really good and has a lot of flavor to it. Service has always been fast and friendly. It isn't super busy at lunch time though.

    (3)
  • Lina S.

    Love the service and the food. The skinny margaritas are my favorite of all Mexican restaurants.

    (5)
  • I M.

    This is more American style Mexican food, but I like it a lot and it's always consistently good. The staff is friendly and the food is excellent. Not much more you could ask for.

    (5)
  • Jo C.

    Nice little hidden Tex-Mex place! Service was good and the food was just right! We liked their rice and enchiladas a lot! My dad and I split the fajitas and they gave us each our own portions of rice and beans! Chicken was good, Beef was a bit tough. Warm chips and the dip was good!

    (5)
  • Thao N.

    I've never dine in, but occasionally swing by for to-gos since there's nothing good to eat around this little area. It's super easy to get to from my house & super easy to park which is convenient for my days where I'm super hungry & is excited to go home to find out there's absolutely no food sitting there and have to go back out to hunt for something to eat. Staff is always super helpful and seem happy whenever I go there. I just wish the salsa that comes with the chips is a bit more spicy, but it's not their fault that most people can't tolerate a high level of spiciness! I've also had better mexican food, this is the best thing around this area.

    (4)
  • Valentina A.

    Best place to get Mexican food and drinks! And the servers/waiters rock. Been coming here over 1 year now. Always so festive inside too. This place is simply awesome.

    (5)
  • Craig S.

    I wish I could give them a 4.5 -- they're really good on many counts, but still have a couple opportunities for improvement. For years we'd go monthly, but lately it's been two to four times per month, often with friends or family. Value (5) - For sit-down Mexican food, it's hard to do better for cost v. quality v. quantity. Veggies are fresh, which is where some other high-volume places look to save a bit. Taste (5) - If you're looking for 100% authentic "classic" Mexican cuisine ... they're not it. However, I like the taste of everything I've had over the years. And they will make dishes more spicy by request (and/or bring out some moderately hot salsa). For horchata fans, I find it a touch too sweet, but since I rarely mix up a pitcher at home, it's nice that they have it. Service (4) - We are generally seated quickly, but then it can get a little spotty in initial order-taking and/or cook times. I appreciate that things are busy around lunch and dinner rush ... but if you don't staff up, you get in the weeds, and the customer experience suffers. It's never been *terrible* in over one hundred trips, but it's been lacking several times. Drinks (5) - House margaritas are a good value and decent taste (for using mix instead of fresh limes); I don't know if being a regular ensures they're always strong, but *wow* I think it's probably 2 or 2.5 ounces of tequila and about the same in trip sec - definitely limit myself to one if I'm driving. The music is always louder than I'd like - probably my biggest gripe. Another reviewer commented on the parking - I've never seen the immediate area filled, even on weekends or holidays.

    (5)
  • King P.

    The people are nice and the food is always consistent. I would tell my friends about this place and I have been eating here for many years. Order the carne sada!

    (5)
  • Marissa T.

    Consistently good Mexican food. Free chips and salsa are a good start to the meal. We have had their burritos, carnitas, and enchiladas, and they were all good. My favorite are the chicken fajitas.

    (4)
  • Kate S.

    Food was ok. But the beer was very cold!! The service was fast. Great TVs with football on too.

    (4)
  • Jason H.

    We our local and loyal patrons of Tapatios. The food is great and the friendly staff makes this place a must. Try the Pollo Tarrasco.... Muy bueno. Yummy.

    (4)
  • Gabi S.

    This place is fabulous!! They have a lot of salads to chose from. I had their one w/grilled prawns, corn, tomatoes, greens w/a cilantro dressing. It was one of the best salads I've had in a very long time. My husband had their carne asada which was really tender and tasteful. Yum yum! The only thing lacking was their service. They never checked on us, or brought our bill. We had to go up to the front desk to pay and when we did, the lady asked us how many were in our party like we were first coming in. I didn't leave a tip, bc I only tip for good service. All in all I'd eat here again bc it was super tasty!

    (4)
  • Ashlee B.

    We live right down the street so we come here pretty often as it is convenient. I can say that it is my favorite Mexican restaurant in Bellevue area that we've had so far. Chips are always fresh and I LOVE the salsa! The only reason I gave it 4 out of 5 stars is because we've had horrible service on a couple occasions where the waiter was not friendly or brought us the wrong food, and I didn't receive my correct order until the rest of my family was done eating... And they still charged us for it. However, we have had great service many times. Other than that I definitely recommend!

    (4)
  • Silveo C.

    I'm sorry for the bad review. I thought this was Mexican food. I hope this is not Mexican food in this area. I may have to drive to Puyallup for my fix.

    (1)
  • Stephen C.

    Average food, average service.

    (3)
  • Robert B.

    My favorite Mexican restaurant, in the area...with their live band playing tonight to celebrate cinco de maya!

    (4)
  • Michael B.

    Great food! Excellent service! The. Tacos al Carbon, refritos, guacamole, salsa verde- it's all so good!!!!

    (5)
  • Jennifer D.

    Hands down, our favorite Mexican restaurant. There are always little Mexican restaurants in every neighborhood, but we ignore most of them. We drive half an hour just to eat at this Tapatio's location. Apparently there is another Tapatio's in Factoria - make sure to go to the one on Coal Creek. Their chips are always fresh, the salsa is fantastic. The staff is so friendly and accommodating. The tortilla soup and the fiesta salad are my favorites. The Arroz con Pollo is one of our usual items to share. Oooh, and just recently they are offering quite a few gluten free choices! Love that!

    (5)
  • Tammy H.

    Service is commendable! Soon as (literally the very second) we were about done with our chips, the server came with a new bowl of salsa and basket of chips to readily replenish our devoured servings. The proportions are generous, and good. Prices reasonable. Sizzling fajitas are about $16. Warm tortillas are served in a motherly, cloth, tortilla pocket so they stay warm better. I took the rest of my meal in a box to go, they even boxed it FOR me. Happily, and quickly. After we paid and were out the door, I had forgotten the box; one of the servers came out after me with it. How nice! Waited only about 10 minutes for our food to come. Came here on a Friday night. Perfect place to stop by if you're starving. Will be back!

    (5)
  • Melissa F.

    Try this place and you will never be able to eat at the crappy chain restaurants ever again. The food here is cooked and cooked well; doesn't feel like it's just churned out in batches to feed the masses, you know? The sauces and all the meats are seasoned just right and everything tastes amazing! It's located in the corner and kind of hard to spot, but definitely take the time to find it. You won't regret it!

    (5)
  • Justin I.

    Absolutely loved the food and staff.... DRINK RECOMMENDATION - coronarita. Every time I went in, I had to have one, or two and for those fun nights three! =) Highly recommended.

    (5)
  • Craig J.

    Friendly people, service was prompt and as always, the food was delicious. They have the BEST rice anywhere and everything else was top notch. For Mexican food, it seemed very pricy compared to other places in the area especially for lunch. Still we will be back!

    (4)
  • Mark O.

    Mehh. Definitely Americanized and a little pricey for Mexican.

    (2)
  • Jens J.

    I don't have any major dings to toss at Tapatio's, but this place unabashedly caters to suburban Caucasian sensibilities. Therefore, you will find plenty of yellow (cheddar) cheese here. Though there are a lot of Mexicans living and working in the immediate area, I sure didn't see any eating at Tapatio today. The dining area is large, clean and comfortable. I definitely like the brilliant green wood chairs with blue seats. One thing I've always loved about Mexicans and décor is that Mexicans are unafraid to use bright colors. Mariachi music was being played at a very low volume, paired against a silent flat screen TV on the far wall displaying a telenovela. You get complimentary chips and salsa. However, the salsa was as thin as piss on a rock. Though I'm not vegetarian, I was impressed with a large selection of vegetarian options - including several enchiladas and burritos. I went with the chorizo con huevos (eggs) at $7.95. The chorizo came with your usual refried beans (topped with melted yellow and white cheese) and Mexican rice. My waitress also brought me three hot harina (wheat) tortillas served in a linen napkin. The Mexican rice was very good. I liked that it had a few kernels of corn, a handful of peas and even a single piece of green bean. Regarding the chorizo - at first I thought this very pale chorizo with bits of diced tomato was good, but halfway into my meal, I decided that the flavor of the tomato didn't work with the chorizo. Actually, I've eaten more than my share of chorizo over the years and never seen tomato in it until today. Don't get me wrong. The chorizo was not bad, I just wouldn't have prepared it this way. The waitress I had was friendly, efficient and professional. The busboy/waiter was unsmiling and not friendly. Pobrecito. I thought it was interesting that when one Caucasion customer entered and greeted the manager with a "¿Comó estás?", the manager responded in English and continued to speak to the customer in English.

    (3)
  • Kevin W.

    I eat here at least once a month. It's a favorite around Newcastle. Very good food. Staff is nice and very quick. At least several staff members have been there for years. Reasonably priced. That said, I'm disturbed by the number of Unsatisfactory reviews they have received from the King County Public Health Department. They have had 3 just since November 2010. I'm feeling like it may be time to drop them from my regular places. info.kingcounty.gov/heal…

    (3)
  • Hunter O.

    service was ok not good or bad. same with the food not all that great not all that bad. I would have thought this place would have been better but then my wife reminded me we were in newcastle..lol

    (3)
  • Jennifer H.

    Great for lunch. Good food, good service.

    (4)
  • Thail D.

    Being from New Mexico I often find myself craving Mexican food, and for my money Tapatio Mexican Grill is the best Mexican restaurant I have found here in the North West. Their enchiladas are what I order most often and they are delicious. My only complaint is that they could use to be a bit spicier. I have tried other dishes and have not yet found one I didn't like, they are all very tasty. They seem to be pretty popular (understandably), and thus usually get pretty busy in the evenings, so we often place a to go order and pick up the food to eat at home. We've also ordered a bunch of food to go to feed a small party of people.

    (4)
  • Jarrod L.

    Wow it's loud in here. The difficulty conversing with my dining companions definitely knocked off a star. The server was very accommodating to the many changes/substitutions asked for by our table and the service was pretty quick even though the restaurant was packed. The food is the same sort of stuff you get at any of the other "Mexican" places around here, which is fine when that's what you're looking for. I had the Molcajete, a beef/chicken/vegetable combination served in a stone bowl. The menu description was accurate and the tastes were exactly what I was expecting.

    (3)
  • Ponarett X.

    I have come to really love this place. I was in recently for dinner and decided to try something different. I first started with a margarita and it was ginormous! And this was their normal size as there is an option to "jumbo size" your margarita. I was looking at the menu and just happened to peruse the vegetarian section and the enchiladas with butternut squash caught my eye. Being the meat-lover that I am, I asked them to add ground beef to my enchilada. The butternut squash sauce was amazing! And so different from anything I've ever had at a Mexican restaurant. When my enchiladas were gone, I licked up every bit of that sauce on the plate!

    (5)
  • Mandy S.

    this place was surprisingly busy on a weeknight. I was excited to try a well-reviewed mexican restaurant in newcastle but was sorely dissapointed. Steak for the fajitas were tough and service was hit/miss. salsa was runny as the other reviews have said. Wish they had the Mexico in Pacific Place located in the renton area

    (2)
  • Veronica O.

    family friendly restaurant, very friendly staff. As for the food its good nothing out of this world, its tex-mex so think your going to be getting frijoles charros or home made tortillas. Their drinks are awesome i ordered the house margarita it had a lot of tequila.

    (4)
  • Lauren L.

    We love this place. Has a bit of a different style on their frejoles (not the typical kind that is served in most Mexican restaurants), which I do not care for (just a bowl of beans). Their Spanish rice isn't as tasty as your typical Mexican cuisine may offer, but then again, it probably depends on region? We like their customer service and the ambience of the place. The owners are very nice! Gets super crowded on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Get there by 5 p.m. or you can expect to wait for at least 20-35 minutes depending on size of your party.

    (4)
  • Justin H.

    I'm really critical of most Puget Sound Mexican restaurants, but they do a pretty good job. I typically grab a combo with a chimichonga and an enchilada-- not the most adventurous, but I'm consistently happy with it. The service is good, but there are a lot of kids here, so it's not exactly romantic.

    (4)
  • Kristy W.

    I have been once for lunch and will be back. The food was solid - not spicy enough but some hot sauce fixed it. Seems kid friendly without being loud at all. Nice.

    (4)
  • Michael W.

    Food is always great. The staff is awesome and attentive. Can notget enough of their chips and hot sause.

    (5)
  • Julian H.

    A great all-around choice for us suburban diners. Food is consistently very good (much better than Azteca or other big chains). The seafood dishes are what really caught me off guard with their quality and lack of greasiness. Not expensive. Good 'ritas. Service is consistently good, never a wait for a table, food is fast, waiters are polite and prompt. Atmosphere was just okay previously, but is now much better since a renovation. Very colorful. A note on the menu: Tapatio offers both authentic Mexican dishes as well as the Tex-Mex cuisine (a hybrid of Mexican, Spanish and American influences that originated in the Southwestern U.S.) that is typically presented as "Mexican" food in this part of the country. For example they offer tamales and sopas (real Mexican food), americanized versions of traditional Mexican dishes like burritos and tacos (less authentic), and fajitas (a purely American creation with no roots in Mexican cuisine).

    (4)
  • Srta L.

    I am not really a fan for Mexican food but I have to agree that the food here was more than pretty good. The salsa was good, and portions were big for lunch. Service and environment pretty good as well.

    (4)
  • Hope N.

    Pretty good for Mexican food around here. The beef taquitos were excellent and the pork tacos were good. My major complaints about this place is the price and the ambiance is so bla-loud, not much decor, and overrun with toddlers. The salsa is awesome.

    (3)
  • Antonio R.

    The restaurant was very busy on a Saturday evening, but the friendly hostess was very efficient in making sure all the customers were seated promptly. Good first impression! It is also a good sign when I see a restaurant busy with a lot of people in it...I'm guessing it's because of the good food. The menu was filled with so many different types of plates that I couldn't decide what to choose. So, I asked for recommendations from the hostess and she gave me her three favorite dishes...I went with the fish tacos. I've never ordered fish tacos from a Mexican restaurant before, so I thought I would try something new. The fish tacos were bomb! (For all you people who don't know slang..."bomb" means "good"). I've had fish tacos at other types of restaurants before, but they never tasted this good! My friend ordered the chicken fajitas and he was very pleased as well. I am a Mexican food fanatic and I definitely recommend checking out this restaurant.

    (5)
  • Nora C.

    I am not a food snob nor connoisseur of mexican restaurants but I feel so blessed that this solid and reliable mexican place is within walking distance. The chips are warm, crispy and addictive. Salsa is spicy but not too much so. Dinner plates are always very warm, portions are huge, and service is attentive and friendly. We usually come hungry and leave with leftovers to snack on the next day. There were a lot of kids there tonight, but it didn't ruin the dining atmosphere at all, it just added to the warm family atmosphere.

    (4)
  • Martin C.

    finally tried this place. The food was cooked well. Had the carne asada burrito and the steak was tasty and did not contain rice ;) looks like i'll be coming to newcastle more often

    (4)
  • Kazuo O.

    This place is good but I don't get a crave to eat here. The portions are good and it's a better than Azteca. I only come here because the owner is pretty cool, He gave me a gift certificate because they forgot a chimichanga for my take out order. They actually called me first to let me know. If it weren't for that I would rate this place 3 1/2 stars.

    (4)
  • Corrine C.

    Came here a few weeks ago after the kid's soccer practice with a couple of other families. I had their enchiladas and ordered a tamale on the side. Waaaaaay too much food. Quite tasty and my little guy gobbled up his quesidilla. Kid friendly. (It was pretty quiet for a Saturday late morning.)

    (3)
  • D S.

    This is by far the best Mexican food in the area. We eat here once a week and love the food and the service is super fast and courteous!

    (5)
  • NANCY H.

    I think the quality of the food here speaks for itself. Yes, they serve the regular Azteca/Mazatlan/Torrero's fare, but there was something about the beef that made it juicy and tender. The burritos here are humongous and the margaritas are, too! The decor is eye catching as well. Sort of a southwest theme with faux suede seats and warm earthy tones. Plus they friendly and attentive service. There is also a private room for parties. This is a great place to take your family and friends and just hang out if you want something apart from the overdone refried beans and dry meat stuff. Good For: chips and salsa, mole, atmosphere

    (4)
  • Patricia M.

    This wasn't our first time to Tapatio, but it will be our last. The food has always been, meh, I've had better. But it's convienent while near that shopping center running errands. 1. Food is bland and oh so greasy. I had a chicken burrito that was so tasteless I thought I mistakenly ordered cardboard. 2. The older gentleman that seems to be either the mananger or owner always seems to be put off by having to seat us. 3. Service is seriously lacking. Again, our waitress today (older woman) didn't greet us upon arriving at our table, promptly asked what we wanted and once she delivered our meal didn't come back until she delivered the check. We needed a spoon, more water, milk that we ordered for my daughter and more napkins. Flagging her down was impossible. She didn't look our way and in fact did her best to stay out of our line of sight. 4. After our I signed the check and we began to get up to leave, the older gentelman rushed over to say something about not paying yet. I ignored him and walked out. 5. We were there at 12:15 to 1:00. Only 3 other tables in the whole place. Guess that should have been my first clue. The only reason this review isn't a 1 star is the fact their salsa is mildly tastey. So long Tapatio.

    (2)
  • Amanda S.

    This is a great Mexican place with awesome drinks! All their margaritas are top-notch and the food is amazing. There's often a line of big groups when you come in the door, but seating for two is rarely a wait. Service is great and the food is even better. Love this place!

    (5)
  • Soren L.

    I have been to Tapatio over a dozen times and I can safely say it is the best Mexican food I've had in the Seattle area. The staff is friendly and responsive, the interior decor warm and welcoming. Chips are served warm and the salsa is fresh. Prices typically range between $10-$15 for a meal, but you get a lot of food in return. I recommend the Taquitos al Pastor and the Burrito Leñero. Their homemade sangria is also a must-have!

    (5)
  • Marcie C.

    It's been awhile since I've had Mexican food that tasted light and fresh. Their rice doesn't leave a greasy aftertaste. I had a chicken enchilada and my chicken was moist and flavorful, which doesn't happen a lot elsewhere. And their chips and salsa were extremely delicious and addicting!

    (4)
  • Adam S.

    open during siesta ~ ¡que bueno! ~

    (3)
  • Andy W.

    Nothing sublime here, but it's good solid Mexican food at a reasonable price, served by friendly people. Plus, if you live in Newcastle it's about the only game in town. I recommend the Burrito Lenero and the fajita burrito.

    (4)
  • S S.

    I go there for dinner sometimes. It's usually pretty crowded but I have never had to wait for a table. I think their food is really good, but I'm not sure about the authenticity of the food. Nevertheless, a Mexican acquaintance did tell me once that this place is pretty good, so it must be pretty authentic. The prices are also reasonable. The restaurant atmosphere is not too romantic, though. It's more fore family dining.

    (5)
  • Nikki R.

    When we moved to Washington from Texas two and a half years ago, I mourned the loss of good Tex-Mex for more than a year before I finally tried this place, despite the fact that it's just a mile from my house. I was so happy! I can't say that it's the same as the Tex-Mex I love back in Texas, but it satisfies my need for good Mexican food well enough that I no longer mourn the loss. The chips and salsa are great. I like the carne asada and the chicken tamales, but I was disappointed in the flautas and taquitos. That could be because of the Washington/Texas difference. I love that I can order pineapple juice, and not only can I order it, but I get it in a big soda-sized glass, and not a tiny little cup. The staff have not been overly friendly, but they've certainly been pleasant enough - and have been very patient when my friends and I have lost track of time and stayed past closing because we were too busy chatting. My favorite place to sit is the booth just behind and to the left of the register. It's separated a bit from the rest of the crowd and has a more intimate, cozy feel to it - great for catching up with friends or reading a good book.

    (4)
  • will m.

    my friend and i frequent restaurants on many occassions to get a taste of how different restaurants prepare and present their food while also focusing on their speed and quality of service. on this day, 8/1/2009, we decided to go out of our way and try this mexican restaurant since we both love mexican food. when we arrived, there was literally a line out the door, good sign that the food must be pretty good. we were greeted by a very friendly hostess and was seated within minutes even though the restaurant was busy, another good sign. looking at the menu, it was huge, there were many things on the menu that we we're not accustomed to seeing at chain restaurants like azteca. not being too adventurist today, i ordered the chicken fajitas. huge platter with beans, rice, chicken, peppers, onions, guacamole and sour cream and cheese, the usual fare. however, these fajitas were really good and the beans and rice were also really good. the chicken was perfect in fajita standards, not to moist, not too firm or dry and was seasoned well. the rice was light and fluffy and blended well with the rest of the items on the plate. the service was good, the hostess went above and beyond by constantly checking up on us to make sure everything was ok. ambiance? the place was really busy and loud, we're at a mexican place, what do you expect? all in all this place was worth the drive and we'll probably be eating here again.

    (5)
  • Arun K.

    I was drawn to this place with all the good reviews but disappointed by the food. As on reviewer pointed out, this is definitely for americanized mexican food, and there are certainly better places to get 'real' mexican food in Seattle/ Bellevue. I did try the food there four times before writing this review. The salsa is so thin it it difficult to get enough on your chips. The food was bland, without the customary spice-i-ness The service was good and the restaurant was spacious. Overall - I'd go elsewhere to satisfy my mexican food cravings.. (Barrio's in Bellevue is definitely an option).

    (2)
  • Bill B.

    Definitely northern-Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine but quite good and we go here, often. As many have said, the salsa is very good indeed and the margaritas are potent. The molcajete is equal to or better than anything I have tasted in AZ and TX plus the food is better than most of the other Mexican restaurants on the east side.

    (4)
  • Jon G.

    Chips and salsa are so good here. Guadalajara Enchilada is good

    (3)
  • Danielle H.

    Tapatio is a perfect local family restaurant. The service is warm and friendly and fast, the salsa is delicious and there are a lot of great choices for meat eaters, fish eaters and vegetarians. The prices are reasonable and the environment is always full of energy. I'm so glad it is my neighborhood restaurant.

    (5)
  • Momiko S.

    I went in for HH at 9pm with a couple of friends. Its OK. the Good: Happy Hour 9-10pm (Closes at 10) Large Tables for group of Friends Lots of Parking the Bad: Small Happy Hour Food List (3-4 items for about 5.50 each) One hour of Happy Hour (maybe because i went on a Monday?) Would i go back? I dont know, only if its convienient and if groups of friends are going.

    (3)
  • Marta B.

    I come here for a bowl of tortilla soup with a tangy undertone of lime and fresh pieces of guacamole floating in a golden broth.Shredded chicken and melted cheese(not a lot,just enough to add some texture) are at the bottom of the bowl waiting to be discovered by a hungry spoon.I crush more tortillas in,add a little salsa and nurture my soul with the injection of warmth:)

    (5)
  • Richard B.

    A solid item: shredded beef tamals. It's like there's this sweet ol' abuela who spent all day making 'em for you. Half the time they're sold out but that's a testimoninal to their deliciousness. It's a good place in general. A few too many poorly parented/supervised kids have made it harder to enjoy the place.

    (4)
  • Shert J.

    I assume this is a 'sister" restaurant to the El Tapatio at Factoria. It is not too far from my house, and near a client I see. It is located in a strip mall that has a QFC, Hair cut salon, and Thai restaurant. The atmosphere is pleasant enough with some booths, and wooden tables. there are some nice Mexican decorations. I like it because they serve generous portions for a resonable price. I go to have their lunch special combination-- which is $7.99 for two items plus rice and beans. I leave feeling really satisfied and the food is pretty good. The menu has many selections and specialties. Whenever I have gone, they are never crowded or full, maybe only 1/3 of the tables filled at best. So I wonder if they are actually making a living-- but I think they have been there 10 years +, so they must do allright. Again, ample parking, easy to find.

    (4)
  • Laura D.

    Okay, we're closer to the North Pole than we are to the equator, so obviously we're not going to get much stellar Mexican food around here. But this has been my family's standby Mexican restaurant for over ten years, and it's never disappointed us. There are plenty of dishes that aren't smothered in cheese - my new favorite is the pork carnitas. If you're a less adventurous diner (like uh me), the tacos and taquitos (order from the appetizer menu) are comfortingly tasty. The restaurant can get a little noisy, but they've done some great remodeling in the last couple years, so the dining area is divided up, which created some quieter nooks. The decor is very nice and the servers are almost always friendly and attentive.

    (4)
  • Suzanne S.

    Great service and yummy pico de gallo and guacamole! Also they have delicious margaritas. It is a little loud and they often have families and children there. They don't have a very good vegan option.

    (4)
  • Cat S.

    Ate dinner here the other night with my sis, bro-in-law and their two kiddies. The place was busy, always a good sign. We waited about 15 minutes for a table, and our waitress was great. Super good service throughout our meal and she gave some fabu recommendations. I've been about three times and have really enjoyed everything I've had so far. On our most recent visit, I had the fish tacos. By far the best I've had. Really good flavor but not drenched in sauce and dripping everywhere. I was able to take one of my tacos home and it held up, even after a couple of days. Usually, fish tacos are so drippy that they're too gross to eat as leftovers. Not these! And the fish was cooked to perfection. I loved them! The dishes that my sis and b-i-l ordered were also very tasty. We all went home pleased, especially my niece and nephew who each got a balloon before we left.

    (4)
  • Elisabeth H.

    Tapatios is the BEST Mexican Restaurant in Newcastle - Bellevue area . We have been eating here for nine years and LOVE THIS PLACE ! Go early to avoid the dinner rush and enjoy the lunch and Happy Hour specials . Food is awesome , service is outstanding, with only one complaint , don't go for Lunch on Mon or Tues because the waitress , Louisa is extremely slow and sometimes forgetful . Don't let that comment keep you away the other days ! ! ! E H. Newcastle

    (5)
  • Lucy D.

    I really love Tapatios for dinner & drinks. The service is friendly and food is great! However, I've been going in for lunch a few times these past few weeks & the daytime server is just awful. The first time she served a group of us she never brought plates or silverware.... nor did she notice that we started using the chip basket to plate our fajitas.... Lately she's just become completely rude and unable to keep a professional attitude. The food is still amazing and we always leave a +20% tip, but dang I don't know if we can continue going in for lunch with such a careless & inattentive server :/ I've even seen their management trying to get her attention to respond to our concerns & she literally just ignored him... must be family...

    (4)
  • Aaron B.

    One of the best Mexican restaurants around !!!!!!!!

    (5)
  • Cory C.

    How in the world did this place get decent reviews? Boring salsa. Boring drinks. Boring presentation. And really boring food. Came here on a Friday night and felt like I was in a daycare.

    (1)
  • Julie D.

    BEST MEXICAN CUISINE!!! YES CUISINE.... THIS IS NOT YOUR AVERAGE MEXICAN RESTAURANT... The Tacos de Pescado are the BEST!!! There is a variety of menu items that are not what you would find in the average mexican restaurant and coupled with the friendly outgoing customer service... you have perfection! It is a neighborhood place... so if you go a couple times, chances are the serving staff will get to know what you eat and drink and by your third visit you are on a first name basis... Always the best from Tapatio's! Sit in Lupe's section... SHE ROCKS!

    (5)
  • NicMar H.

    You will always get great service at this family-friendly local restaurant, where the Mexican fare is spot on delicious AND at great prices. The Carnitas are always flavorful and the Carne Asada is consistently tender and delicious.

    (4)
  • Kress F.

    Decent Mexican food, very friendly and prompt service. Family friendly, it's a good place to eat. I do see lots of kids here fairly often, just so you know... That being said, I was not impressed with the food at all. I come from the Southwest, and despite the "authentic" staff, the food tasted to me like it was made for a bunch of people who don't really know what Mexican food should taste like. I would not be surprised if the nice lady who served us orders from a different menu, or maybe she heads down to the cheap taqueria on Sunset where the food tastes better. I ain't tryin' to be rude, just letting you know that if you're really into Mexican food, I wouldn't drive out of your way to get here. Maybe I just haven't found the right dish, but I think I went three times, and let's just say that I don't really go back if I have a choice...

    (3)
  • Malea X.

    this is the best mexican food i've found in the south sound/eastside that i can eat. they have lots of vegetarian options, but a lot of them are pre-made items that cannot be customized to remove dairy or gluten - so i'm more limited than most vegetarians and that makes me sad. the margaritas are good (the fruit ones are weak), the guacamole is bland but fresh, and the salsa is spicy. pretty good chips, decent variety of veggies in the veggie fajitas, good salads. prompt, friendly service.

    (3)
  • Heather L.

    This is our favorite local spot for Mexican food. The service is prompt and friendly, the food always hot and fresh. I love that it's not drowning in greasy cheese and red sauce like most Mexican places around here. Yeah, it can get loud and packed with families and kids, but this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone since it's in a primarily residential area in the suburbs. The family friendly atmosphere is a plus to us and our kids enjoy the food.

    (4)
  • Mandy S.

    this place was surprisingly busy on a weeknight. I was excited to try a well-reviewed mexican restaurant in newcastle but was sorely dissapointed. Steak for the fajitas were tough and service was hit/miss. salsa was runny as the other reviews have said. Wish they had the Mexico in Pacific Place located in the renton area

    (2)
  • Veronica O.

    family friendly restaurant, very friendly staff. As for the food its good nothing out of this world, its tex-mex so think your going to be getting frijoles charros or home made tortillas. Their drinks are awesome i ordered the house margarita it had a lot of tequila.

    (4)
  • Arun K.

    I was drawn to this place with all the good reviews but disappointed by the food. As on reviewer pointed out, this is definitely for americanized mexican food, and there are certainly better places to get 'real' mexican food in Seattle/ Bellevue. I did try the food there four times before writing this review. The salsa is so thin it it difficult to get enough on your chips. The food was bland, without the customary spice-i-ness The service was good and the restaurant was spacious. Overall - I'd go elsewhere to satisfy my mexican food cravings.. (Barrio's in Bellevue is definitely an option).

    (2)
  • Bill B.

    Definitely northern-Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine but quite good and we go here, often. As many have said, the salsa is very good indeed and the margaritas are potent. The molcajete is equal to or better than anything I have tasted in AZ and TX plus the food is better than most of the other Mexican restaurants on the east side.

    (4)
  • Jon G.

    Chips and salsa are so good here. Guadalajara Enchilada is good

    (3)
  • Danielle H.

    Tapatio is a perfect local family restaurant. The service is warm and friendly and fast, the salsa is delicious and there are a lot of great choices for meat eaters, fish eaters and vegetarians. The prices are reasonable and the environment is always full of energy. I'm so glad it is my neighborhood restaurant.

    (5)
  • Momiko S.

    I went in for HH at 9pm with a couple of friends. Its OK. the Good: Happy Hour 9-10pm (Closes at 10) Large Tables for group of Friends Lots of Parking the Bad: Small Happy Hour Food List (3-4 items for about 5.50 each) One hour of Happy Hour (maybe because i went on a Monday?) Would i go back? I dont know, only if its convienient and if groups of friends are going.

    (3)
  • Marta B.

    I come here for a bowl of tortilla soup with a tangy undertone of lime and fresh pieces of guacamole floating in a golden broth.Shredded chicken and melted cheese(not a lot,just enough to add some texture) are at the bottom of the bowl waiting to be discovered by a hungry spoon.I crush more tortillas in,add a little salsa and nurture my soul with the injection of warmth:)

    (5)
  • Shert J.

    I assume this is a 'sister" restaurant to the El Tapatio at Factoria. It is not too far from my house, and near a client I see. It is located in a strip mall that has a QFC, Hair cut salon, and Thai restaurant. The atmosphere is pleasant enough with some booths, and wooden tables. there are some nice Mexican decorations. I like it because they serve generous portions for a resonable price. I go to have their lunch special combination-- which is $7.99 for two items plus rice and beans. I leave feeling really satisfied and the food is pretty good. The menu has many selections and specialties. Whenever I have gone, they are never crowded or full, maybe only 1/3 of the tables filled at best. So I wonder if they are actually making a living-- but I think they have been there 10 years +, so they must do allright. Again, ample parking, easy to find.

    (4)
  • Laura D.

    Okay, we're closer to the North Pole than we are to the equator, so obviously we're not going to get much stellar Mexican food around here. But this has been my family's standby Mexican restaurant for over ten years, and it's never disappointed us. There are plenty of dishes that aren't smothered in cheese - my new favorite is the pork carnitas. If you're a less adventurous diner (like uh me), the tacos and taquitos (order from the appetizer menu) are comfortingly tasty. The restaurant can get a little noisy, but they've done some great remodeling in the last couple years, so the dining area is divided up, which created some quieter nooks. The decor is very nice and the servers are almost always friendly and attentive.

    (4)
  • Suzanne S.

    Great service and yummy pico de gallo and guacamole! Also they have delicious margaritas. It is a little loud and they often have families and children there. They don't have a very good vegan option.

    (4)
  • Cat S.

    Ate dinner here the other night with my sis, bro-in-law and their two kiddies. The place was busy, always a good sign. We waited about 15 minutes for a table, and our waitress was great. Super good service throughout our meal and she gave some fabu recommendations. I've been about three times and have really enjoyed everything I've had so far. On our most recent visit, I had the fish tacos. By far the best I've had. Really good flavor but not drenched in sauce and dripping everywhere. I was able to take one of my tacos home and it held up, even after a couple of days. Usually, fish tacos are so drippy that they're too gross to eat as leftovers. Not these! And the fish was cooked to perfection. I loved them! The dishes that my sis and b-i-l ordered were also very tasty. We all went home pleased, especially my niece and nephew who each got a balloon before we left.

    (4)
  • Elisabeth H.

    Tapatios is the BEST Mexican Restaurant in Newcastle - Bellevue area . We have been eating here for nine years and LOVE THIS PLACE ! Go early to avoid the dinner rush and enjoy the lunch and Happy Hour specials . Food is awesome , service is outstanding, with only one complaint , don't go for Lunch on Mon or Tues because the waitress , Louisa is extremely slow and sometimes forgetful . Don't let that comment keep you away the other days ! ! ! E H. Newcastle

    (5)
  • Lucy D.

    I really love Tapatios for dinner & drinks. The service is friendly and food is great! However, I've been going in for lunch a few times these past few weeks & the daytime server is just awful. The first time she served a group of us she never brought plates or silverware.... nor did she notice that we started using the chip basket to plate our fajitas.... Lately she's just become completely rude and unable to keep a professional attitude. The food is still amazing and we always leave a +20% tip, but dang I don't know if we can continue going in for lunch with such a careless & inattentive server :/ I've even seen their management trying to get her attention to respond to our concerns & she literally just ignored him... must be family...

    (4)
  • Aaron B.

    One of the best Mexican restaurants around !!!!!!!!

    (5)
  • Cory C.

    How in the world did this place get decent reviews? Boring salsa. Boring drinks. Boring presentation. And really boring food. Came here on a Friday night and felt like I was in a daycare.

    (1)
  • Julie D.

    BEST MEXICAN CUISINE!!! YES CUISINE.... THIS IS NOT YOUR AVERAGE MEXICAN RESTAURANT... The Tacos de Pescado are the BEST!!! There is a variety of menu items that are not what you would find in the average mexican restaurant and coupled with the friendly outgoing customer service... you have perfection! It is a neighborhood place... so if you go a couple times, chances are the serving staff will get to know what you eat and drink and by your third visit you are on a first name basis... Always the best from Tapatio's! Sit in Lupe's section... SHE ROCKS!

    (5)
  • NicMar H.

    You will always get great service at this family-friendly local restaurant, where the Mexican fare is spot on delicious AND at great prices. The Carnitas are always flavorful and the Carne Asada is consistently tender and delicious.

    (4)
  • Kress F.

    Decent Mexican food, very friendly and prompt service. Family friendly, it's a good place to eat. I do see lots of kids here fairly often, just so you know... That being said, I was not impressed with the food at all. I come from the Southwest, and despite the "authentic" staff, the food tasted to me like it was made for a bunch of people who don't really know what Mexican food should taste like. I would not be surprised if the nice lady who served us orders from a different menu, or maybe she heads down to the cheap taqueria on Sunset where the food tastes better. I ain't tryin' to be rude, just letting you know that if you're really into Mexican food, I wouldn't drive out of your way to get here. Maybe I just haven't found the right dish, but I think I went three times, and let's just say that I don't really go back if I have a choice...

    (3)
  • Malea X.

    this is the best mexican food i've found in the south sound/eastside that i can eat. they have lots of vegetarian options, but a lot of them are pre-made items that cannot be customized to remove dairy or gluten - so i'm more limited than most vegetarians and that makes me sad. the margaritas are good (the fruit ones are weak), the guacamole is bland but fresh, and the salsa is spicy. pretty good chips, decent variety of veggies in the veggie fajitas, good salads. prompt, friendly service.

    (3)
  • Richard B.

    A solid item: shredded beef tamals. It's like there's this sweet ol' abuela who spent all day making 'em for you. Half the time they're sold out but that's a testimoninal to their deliciousness. It's a good place in general. A few too many poorly parented/supervised kids have made it harder to enjoy the place.

    (4)
  • Heather L.

    This is our favorite local spot for Mexican food. The service is prompt and friendly, the food always hot and fresh. I love that it's not drowning in greasy cheese and red sauce like most Mexican places around here. Yeah, it can get loud and packed with families and kids, but this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone since it's in a primarily residential area in the suburbs. The family friendly atmosphere is a plus to us and our kids enjoy the food.

    (4)
  • Lauren L.

    We love this place. Has a bit of a different style on their frejoles (not the typical kind that is served in most Mexican restaurants), which I do not care for (just a bowl of beans). Their Spanish rice isn't as tasty as your typical Mexican cuisine may offer, but then again, it probably depends on region? We like their customer service and the ambience of the place. The owners are very nice! Gets super crowded on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Get there by 5 p.m. or you can expect to wait for at least 20-35 minutes depending on size of your party.

    (4)
  • Justin H.

    I'm really critical of most Puget Sound Mexican restaurants, but they do a pretty good job. I typically grab a combo with a chimichonga and an enchilada-- not the most adventurous, but I'm consistently happy with it. The service is good, but there are a lot of kids here, so it's not exactly romantic.

    (4)
  • Kristy W.

    I have been once for lunch and will be back. The food was solid - not spicy enough but some hot sauce fixed it. Seems kid friendly without being loud at all. Nice.

    (4)
  • Michael W.

    Food is always great. The staff is awesome and attentive. Can notget enough of their chips and hot sause.

    (5)
  • Julian H.

    A great all-around choice for us suburban diners. Food is consistently very good (much better than Azteca or other big chains). The seafood dishes are what really caught me off guard with their quality and lack of greasiness. Not expensive. Good 'ritas. Service is consistently good, never a wait for a table, food is fast, waiters are polite and prompt. Atmosphere was just okay previously, but is now much better since a renovation. Very colorful. A note on the menu: Tapatio offers both authentic Mexican dishes as well as the Tex-Mex cuisine (a hybrid of Mexican, Spanish and American influences that originated in the Southwestern U.S.) that is typically presented as "Mexican" food in this part of the country. For example they offer tamales and sopas (real Mexican food), americanized versions of traditional Mexican dishes like burritos and tacos (less authentic), and fajitas (a purely American creation with no roots in Mexican cuisine).

    (4)
  • Srta L.

    I am not really a fan for Mexican food but I have to agree that the food here was more than pretty good. The salsa was good, and portions were big for lunch. Service and environment pretty good as well.

    (4)
  • Hope N.

    Pretty good for Mexican food around here. The beef taquitos were excellent and the pork tacos were good. My major complaints about this place is the price and the ambiance is so bla-loud, not much decor, and overrun with toddlers. The salsa is awesome.

    (3)
  • Antonio R.

    The restaurant was very busy on a Saturday evening, but the friendly hostess was very efficient in making sure all the customers were seated promptly. Good first impression! It is also a good sign when I see a restaurant busy with a lot of people in it...I'm guessing it's because of the good food. The menu was filled with so many different types of plates that I couldn't decide what to choose. So, I asked for recommendations from the hostess and she gave me her three favorite dishes...I went with the fish tacos. I've never ordered fish tacos from a Mexican restaurant before, so I thought I would try something new. The fish tacos were bomb! (For all you people who don't know slang..."bomb" means "good"). I've had fish tacos at other types of restaurants before, but they never tasted this good! My friend ordered the chicken fajitas and he was very pleased as well. I am a Mexican food fanatic and I definitely recommend checking out this restaurant.

    (5)
  • Nora C.

    I am not a food snob nor connoisseur of mexican restaurants but I feel so blessed that this solid and reliable mexican place is within walking distance. The chips are warm, crispy and addictive. Salsa is spicy but not too much so. Dinner plates are always very warm, portions are huge, and service is attentive and friendly. We usually come hungry and leave with leftovers to snack on the next day. There were a lot of kids there tonight, but it didn't ruin the dining atmosphere at all, it just added to the warm family atmosphere.

    (4)
  • Martin C.

    finally tried this place. The food was cooked well. Had the carne asada burrito and the steak was tasty and did not contain rice ;) looks like i'll be coming to newcastle more often

    (4)
  • Kazuo O.

    This place is good but I don't get a crave to eat here. The portions are good and it's a better than Azteca. I only come here because the owner is pretty cool, He gave me a gift certificate because they forgot a chimichanga for my take out order. They actually called me first to let me know. If it weren't for that I would rate this place 3 1/2 stars.

    (4)
  • Corrine C.

    Came here a few weeks ago after the kid's soccer practice with a couple of other families. I had their enchiladas and ordered a tamale on the side. Waaaaaay too much food. Quite tasty and my little guy gobbled up his quesidilla. Kid friendly. (It was pretty quiet for a Saturday late morning.)

    (3)
  • D S.

    This is by far the best Mexican food in the area. We eat here once a week and love the food and the service is super fast and courteous!

    (5)
  • NANCY H.

    I think the quality of the food here speaks for itself. Yes, they serve the regular Azteca/Mazatlan/Torrero's fare, but there was something about the beef that made it juicy and tender. The burritos here are humongous and the margaritas are, too! The decor is eye catching as well. Sort of a southwest theme with faux suede seats and warm earthy tones. Plus they friendly and attentive service. There is also a private room for parties. This is a great place to take your family and friends and just hang out if you want something apart from the overdone refried beans and dry meat stuff. Good For: chips and salsa, mole, atmosphere

    (4)
  • Patricia M.

    This wasn't our first time to Tapatio, but it will be our last. The food has always been, meh, I've had better. But it's convienent while near that shopping center running errands. 1. Food is bland and oh so greasy. I had a chicken burrito that was so tasteless I thought I mistakenly ordered cardboard. 2. The older gentleman that seems to be either the mananger or owner always seems to be put off by having to seat us. 3. Service is seriously lacking. Again, our waitress today (older woman) didn't greet us upon arriving at our table, promptly asked what we wanted and once she delivered our meal didn't come back until she delivered the check. We needed a spoon, more water, milk that we ordered for my daughter and more napkins. Flagging her down was impossible. She didn't look our way and in fact did her best to stay out of our line of sight. 4. After our I signed the check and we began to get up to leave, the older gentelman rushed over to say something about not paying yet. I ignored him and walked out. 5. We were there at 12:15 to 1:00. Only 3 other tables in the whole place. Guess that should have been my first clue. The only reason this review isn't a 1 star is the fact their salsa is mildly tastey. So long Tapatio.

    (2)
  • Amanda S.

    This is a great Mexican place with awesome drinks! All their margaritas are top-notch and the food is amazing. There's often a line of big groups when you come in the door, but seating for two is rarely a wait. Service is great and the food is even better. Love this place!

    (5)
  • Soren L.

    I have been to Tapatio over a dozen times and I can safely say it is the best Mexican food I've had in the Seattle area. The staff is friendly and responsive, the interior decor warm and welcoming. Chips are served warm and the salsa is fresh. Prices typically range between $10-$15 for a meal, but you get a lot of food in return. I recommend the Taquitos al Pastor and the Burrito Leñero. Their homemade sangria is also a must-have!

    (5)
  • Marcie C.

    It's been awhile since I've had Mexican food that tasted light and fresh. Their rice doesn't leave a greasy aftertaste. I had a chicken enchilada and my chicken was moist and flavorful, which doesn't happen a lot elsewhere. And their chips and salsa were extremely delicious and addicting!

    (4)
  • Adam S.

    open during siesta ~ ¡que bueno! ~

    (3)
  • Andy W.

    Nothing sublime here, but it's good solid Mexican food at a reasonable price, served by friendly people. Plus, if you live in Newcastle it's about the only game in town. I recommend the Burrito Lenero and the fajita burrito.

    (4)
  • S S.

    I go there for dinner sometimes. It's usually pretty crowded but I have never had to wait for a table. I think their food is really good, but I'm not sure about the authenticity of the food. Nevertheless, a Mexican acquaintance did tell me once that this place is pretty good, so it must be pretty authentic. The prices are also reasonable. The restaurant atmosphere is not too romantic, though. It's more fore family dining.

    (5)
  • Nikki R.

    When we moved to Washington from Texas two and a half years ago, I mourned the loss of good Tex-Mex for more than a year before I finally tried this place, despite the fact that it's just a mile from my house. I was so happy! I can't say that it's the same as the Tex-Mex I love back in Texas, but it satisfies my need for good Mexican food well enough that I no longer mourn the loss. The chips and salsa are great. I like the carne asada and the chicken tamales, but I was disappointed in the flautas and taquitos. That could be because of the Washington/Texas difference. I love that I can order pineapple juice, and not only can I order it, but I get it in a big soda-sized glass, and not a tiny little cup. The staff have not been overly friendly, but they've certainly been pleasant enough - and have been very patient when my friends and I have lost track of time and stayed past closing because we were too busy chatting. My favorite place to sit is the booth just behind and to the left of the register. It's separated a bit from the rest of the crowd and has a more intimate, cozy feel to it - great for catching up with friends or reading a good book.

    (4)
  • will m.

    my friend and i frequent restaurants on many occassions to get a taste of how different restaurants prepare and present their food while also focusing on their speed and quality of service. on this day, 8/1/2009, we decided to go out of our way and try this mexican restaurant since we both love mexican food. when we arrived, there was literally a line out the door, good sign that the food must be pretty good. we were greeted by a very friendly hostess and was seated within minutes even though the restaurant was busy, another good sign. looking at the menu, it was huge, there were many things on the menu that we we're not accustomed to seeing at chain restaurants like azteca. not being too adventurist today, i ordered the chicken fajitas. huge platter with beans, rice, chicken, peppers, onions, guacamole and sour cream and cheese, the usual fare. however, these fajitas were really good and the beans and rice were also really good. the chicken was perfect in fajita standards, not to moist, not too firm or dry and was seasoned well. the rice was light and fluffy and blended well with the rest of the items on the plate. the service was good, the hostess went above and beyond by constantly checking up on us to make sure everything was ok. ambiance? the place was really busy and loud, we're at a mexican place, what do you expect? all in all this place was worth the drive and we'll probably be eating here again.

    (5)
  • MR L.

    This place was a pleasant surprise for both my husband & I as we were expecting it to be a typical--as in greater America's idea of Mexican food--Mexican restaurant. This restaurant served homemade chips & tortillas as well as homemade mole. Even most of the Latino markets that have taquerias don't offer fresh, homemade tortillas. The menu offered regional favorites from our Southern neighbors as well as the "typical" fair. I had the Mole Poblano ($16) & my husband had the Enchilada de Guadalajara ($15). Both were exceptional for the price, in portions & flavor (however, they do get you on the extras--$4.50 for a ramekin of guacamole). My husband is extremely picky about his homeland food & was impressed with Tapatio. However, I give them only 4 stars for a couple of MINOR things--service was acceptable (neither good/bad) as we had to ask for, then wait on coffee refills. Also, while the mole was delicious the chicken was just a little tough. Although we don't live in the area, we'll definitely be back next time we're in the neighborhood! Lastly (this may seem trivial or even ridiculous to some) the restrooms were exceptionally clean. (I'm starting to include this in my reviews as I believe there is a correlation between how clean the overall establishment is based on the cleanliness of their bathrooms!)

    (4)
  • Matthew T.

    Awesome happy hour prices! The food is great and good selection of beers to choose from. I live across the street and always have a good time swinging by. The only reason not 5 stars is it can be a little loud when the place is more on the packed side due to the open seating area. But this doesn't take away from all the other great aspects.

    (4)
  • Sheri F.

    Tapatio is the typical Americanized version of Mexican food, on the same level as Azteca. We used them to cater an event. When they returned for the second trip to set up, they were 15 minutes late. When I called to talk to the manager when it was nearing time for the party to start, she told me that her staff had left and he should arrive soon. She didn't issue an apology or make it up to us. It didn't impact the party so we didn't pursue a remedy. The staff member who served at the event, set it up and cleaned up did a fantastic job. He was fast, polite and courteous, even patient with unruly kids. The steak in the fajitas was OK, and the guacamole was OK. I asked the guests for honest feedback, and many said it was all right. I found out later that they offer homemade, fresh tortillas if you ask for them, which we didn't. Something to remember for later. Food: 3 Service: 4

    (3)
  • Austin G.

    Coming from Washington, DC (where good Mexican food is few and far between), I never expected Seattle to have good Mexican. I was wrong. This Mexican restaurant is in a strip mall so you assume it is good and it was. My wife and I ordered the trip fajita for two and it was more than enough food for us. The flour tortillas were excellent (Thought my complaint at every Mexican restaurant is they don't give you enough tortillas to start with!). The margs were good. The only thing that was not good, and hence the three star rating, was the service. Several times we had to call our waiter over to get his attention. Also, the chips and salsa were awesome, especially the salsa!

    (3)
  • Alison M.

    As much as I use to love this place, I have to give my honest feedback about my recent visit. The food is pretty TexMex but the portions are good for the prices. Today I asked for extra salsa, it was never brought. Okay no big deal, then my son dropped his fork shortly after his food arrived so for 15 minutes we attempted to flag down our sever who was catering to the larger grouped tables. Never once did he follow up with anything after our food arrived. I will not be returning here after they left us waving our hands in the air. I hate to say I only tipped $1 because I did not want to wait another 15 minutes for my change to get lost in translation.

    (1)
  • Nicole O.

    I regularly frequent this restaurant. It's pretty good. The chips are good but the salsa can be wayyyy too hot. I guess it depends on who makes it that day? I like the taquitos and totopo salad (but get black beans instead of the refried). The margaritas are decent, they're a little pricy for the little amount of alcohol they have in them. But the staff is great! It really makes up for any shortcomings. I will definitely continue to go here!

    (3)
  • Gladys C.

    Love this place!! Good food and good service, I appreciate the fresh homemade tortillas and the hot salsa is my very fav

    (5)
  • Brandy S.

    Maybe the people giving lower ratings for this restaurant's food are used to horrible WA state Mexican and it's just not what they're used to? We just moved here from So Cal and are used to very authentic, no frills Mexican which is exactly what this place is. The beans, rice and tortillas are always a dead giveaway and they were perfectly homemade. I ordered machaca con huevos (shredded beef and scrambled eggs with bell pepper and onion / TRY FINDING THAT ON A NON AUTHENTIC MENU) and it tasted just like it does from my father in laws skillet. My husband ordered an enchilada and it was probably the best we've EVER had (2nd to only the ones he makes at home). Hands down, the best Mexican food in greater Seattle (we've tried SEVERAL) and right up there with some of the best we've had in Southern California and even down in Mexico. The service was also very sweet (I got the impression it was a middle aged husband and wife), they were very warm and friendly, very professional and very prompt. Our new favorite! Brandy

    (5)
  • Marie M.

    Ew. No. No. No. Not ever again. I've never explained to a manager and a couple servers why they're not getting tipped or how they all around suck. We get sat by one person. Drink order taken by another. New guy brings drinks. 20ish minutes later I flag someone down to take our order. 45 minutes later the guy who brought our drinks brought us our food. Saw someone vacuuming but other than that, saw no one for about an hour. Finally another new person brings our bill. I go to the front to pay, ask for the manager. Apparently, he was our server. Uhm, where were you then??? we didn't him ONCE. And he's the manager? What. A. Joke.

    (1)
  • Holli M.

    Service is fast. Chips and salsa good with some heat. Ordered a chicken chimichanga good flavor and soft meat just the tortilla was not fried to brown. Felt more like a burrito

    (4)
  • AT C.

    This place reminds me of Azteca restaurants and other Mexican-American chain restaurants. Overpriced and overhyped. Not so authentic. Food in Mexico isn't like this. But, if you are used to Mexican-American food, then by all means go here.

    (2)
  • TJ L.

    Was in a new area, came across "Tapatio's" in Bellevue tonight. I had enchiladas Guadalajara the flavors were wonderful. My daughter had the Molcajete , (see photo) which could have sent both of us. Great grilled flavor. Their rice is a mild yet a complex flavor . Nice quiet atmosphere all around good food ,good tasting tea and very attentive wait staff. If we're ever back in this area we're definitely stopping by again.

    (4)
  • Skip W.

    Service was very good. Chips and salsa were very good. The fajita steak burrito was fantastic. I enjoyed this restaurant very much.

    (4)
  • Jonathan V.

    For the seattle area, and not being close to the southern california mexican food capitol, food here is solid. Chips and salsa are fantastic!!! Prices are a bit high, but this is the newcastle/bellevue area. I have been multiple times over the years and always enjoy!

    (5)
  • Xochitl M.

    Is excellent, we love come here with my family and the food is so delicious! We love this restaurant in newcastle

    (5)
  • Aaron L.

    Hot plates! With a strong margarita to my left and hot tortillas to my right, I am ready to eat my fajitas and el pastor tacos. Located in the QFC side plaza on coal creek in Newcastle, this little gem has some rather tasty Mexican food. The staff was very attentive and quick on any thing i needed. The ambiance was not super fancy but fit for a restaurant that is located where its at. I ordered el pastor tacos due to recently coming back from LA and having el pastor street tacos. Tapatio was not too far off from the street tacos in yummy taste. Coming on a hot plate with 3 tacos, a family size portion of re fried beans, as well as some lettuce and tomatoes. Sour cream and guac does not seem to come standard with my dish. The girl friend decide to get the sizzling Fajitas. These we really well done and the beef was very tender. These portions were of giant portions. Was able to pack for lunch the next day! Overall experience was good.

    (4)
  • Ted K.

    The food here is excellent and bountiful. Some of the best tortillas and salsa I've had at a Mexican restaurant in WA. Flavors are bold, loads of cheese as any good Mexican place should have, and the drinks were tasty. Service here is a bit hit or miss. Restaurant can get fairly crowded as its one of the most popular in the area.

    (4)
  • Young C.

    Just an average Mexican spot in my opinion. We got the carne asada, mariscos ala diabla and some nachos. Carne asada was ok, a little too chewy. The a la diabla was ok. The nachos were horrible.

    (3)
  • Megan Y.

    It's no secret that this place does great business. They serve people what they want: fairly good Mexican food and strong drinks in a timely fashion. Seriously, they have the timing down. You may have to wait a bit to get a table, but once seated the food comes out in no time. At the top of the cons list is the parking. They share a too small lot with the rest of the strip mall, which makes for tight spots and not very many. Also, I think the portions can be a bit larger for the money. Sometimes they use very large platter plates with smaller dishes on it, to give the presentation value of a big dish without having to give out that much food. It's smart, but I'm not fooled. That said, there is a huge selection to choose from and I'm sure you can find your favorite dish here. I love the mole polano (sp?) with flour tortillas. And I will be back for those super strong margaritas.

    (4)
  • Kevin S.

    I went here with my seven year old son for lunch. I ordered a margarita, which tasted like a Mr.&Mrs. T mix - no pride in margaritas here. I ordered a one taco and one enchilada combo. They gave me two tacos with an enchilada, so more than I asked for. I was hungry, so I thought this would be fine, but the food is below average. My son had a nacho dish, but only ate about 25% of it. The food was a 2 out of 5 stars. It was difficult getting service even with only three other tables occupied in the restaurant. I had to bring my check to the front to pay it - I think the waitress forgot about us. Definitely not recommended.

    (1)
  • Jamon B.

    Meh. It's fine but not great.

    (3)
  • Allison P.

    Nice neighborhood restaurant. They have a fair selection of vegetarian options on the menu and the staff is great!

    (5)
  • ali y.

    Amazing! Yum tum yum. Food is fast and full of flavor. Drinks are awesome. Love this place.

    (5)
  • David B.

    A kids-friendly place, staff and menu. Good Mexican food as far as our French-Chinese-American family can tell. Kids ate most of their plate which is not an easy feat.

    (4)
  • red a.

    We love this place! We always get prompt and courteous service no matter how busy they are. We've never had a bad meal here and some dishes are outside the typical US Mexican fare you usually find. Perhaps some of these are traditional dishes that don't usually make it north of the border.

    (5)
  • Miles A.

    Place has great mexican food. Been coming here for 20+ years. They buy local produce from newcastle fruit and produce down the street ( worth a visit! Ask for "damu" and see whats in season) what I love most is the margaritas! They also have happy hour and tvs to watch the game. Their mole dishes and stuffed pablano stand out.

    (5)
  • Debby J.

    Always fresh and yummy. Had the fajitas last night and they didn't disappoint. Brought home some carnitas for the husband and they even packed chips and salsa to go.

    (4)
  • Nancy S.

    Are these people getting paid to give stars?? Would not recommend this place or define it as real mexican food. We eat mexican a lot..doesn't even come close. Took son and his wife there for their birthday...sorry kids..

    (1)
  • Jon A.

    Warnings in the menu (somewhere below the beverage list, I think): 1) First 2 bowls of chips are complimentary. Further bowls may be subject to charge. - They didn't charge us for the 3rd bowl, so I'm assuming this is to prevent people from just ordering bowl after bowl of free chips and salsa. However, another Mexican restaurant does not have the same condition. 2) $3 charge for split plates. - They do serve food in large platters, but $3 to split a plate? 3) $3 consumption fee per person. Again, is this about the free chips? My gripes: 1) Place was more than half empty but we were stuck all the way in the back. Possibly because of my 2 younger kids, as they did seat more families with kids in that area? 2) When you tell me you'll bring more napkins, please bring more napkins. 3) Shouldn't have to beg for refills on bottomless drinks. Just because we're way in the back doesn't mean you stop checking on us. 4) The caramones a la diabla tomato sauce tasted so much like it came from a can. The kids seemed to enjoy their nachitos, caramones baja, and tacos de pescado. The best one was the daughter's chili colorado - it was as tasty as it was tender. Came here for a new experience because of the five stars. Disappointed I couldn't do so as well.

    (2)
  • Morgan P.

    My family eats here very consistently. Always hot and tasty tex-mex style food and the staff is incredibly friendly. What I like is that it's a family type of place, all age ranges are here and the noise never gets out of control. Great kids menu and they always give crayons for the ones who fidget. I really enjoy their carne asada, which come with just the right amount of sides and tortillas to make mini tacos. My wife almost always gets the combo plate with burritos and chimichangas, very tasty and plenty I meat and cheese. I only wish they had a small bar of some sort. It would be great to come in at happy hour or even late night and have a margarita with some chips and salsa.

    (4)
  • Merrilee B.

    I've been here a few times and thought the food was pretty good. They are also fast and kid friendly. However, as soon as I left the restaurant this time I felt queasy and spent the rest of the night and next day violently ill. I'm not sure I can ever return.

    (2)
  • Marlo H.

    I used to work here for 12 years. I can tell you the food is fresh and tasty, the kitchen is CLEAN, the decor is modern and the environment is fun and friendly. Some recommendations are Pollo al Carbon, spinach enchiladas, grilled chicken salad (I crave the dressing and also available in shrimp), camarones al moho de ajo with Carne Asada and my husband loves the Molcajete. So if you're in the New Castle area definitely try Tapatio. There is also a Factoria location, but this is the one that is close to my heart.

    (5)
  • KT P.

    Awful. I have been on a quest to find good Mexican food since moving from San Diego. I'm starting to wonder if people up here have ever had good Mexican food. The fish tacos were swimming in sauce that had way too much lime in it. This caused the tacos to fall apart. The fish was in giant chunks and not flavorful at all. The hubs got the tacos al pastor. Same issue with no flavor and falling apart. The rice was bland and flavorless. Lastly, the queso fundito was not so fun. We got the order to go and it was a giant congealed mess of disgusting by the time I got home. Will not be returning and the hunt for good Mexican continues.

    (1)
  • Steve Y.

    great neighborhood mexican restaurant. they make their own tortillas in house. food is always high quality and served quickly. friendly staff.

    (4)
  • Thao N.

    I've never dine in, but occasionally swing by for to-gos since there's nothing good to eat around this little area. It's super easy to get to from my house & super easy to park which is convenient for my days where I'm super hungry & is excited to go home to find out there's absolutely no food sitting there and have to go back out to hunt for something to eat. Staff is always super helpful and seem happy whenever I go there. I just wish the salsa that comes with the chips is a bit more spicy, but it's not their fault that most people can't tolerate a high level of spiciness! I've also had better mexican food, this is the best thing around this area.

    (4)
  • Michael G.

    Tapatio really went 180 degrees from our last visit. Committed our Friday night to hopefully enjoying some quality Mexican food, good tequila, atmosphere, etc... from our last visit. First, it was so packed it seemed the entire city of Newcastle and maybe Bellevue was there. It was extremely loud, leading to stressed staff members and and ultimately crappy experience for us. The hostess just stared at me as I approached the podium for starters. We got in early enough at about 530 to be immediately seated but by the end of the meal, there were dozens of people waiting outside and cars in about every parking spot. Our waiter either a) didn't speak english as his first language or b) was stressed by the rush or most likely c) both. As instructed by the menu, I ordered a "flight" of my favorite liquor, tequilla. It comes with sangrita, which he didn't know what that was. Either that or see a) above. He proceeds to bring out a shot of tequilla, a shot of pure lime juice and a shot of the "sangrita" (which looked like kool-aid). At this point I asked for the manager, who was nice and explained that yes, more shots of tequilla were coming (mini-shots to be technical for the "flight") and ultimately just took the charge off of our tab. Without this effort, I would have easily rated the night 2 stars. Ordered some kind of chicken entree which turned out to be burned chicken breasts covered in what looked like cheese out of a bag. The disappointment just started to roll together at this point. Ordered the flan for a last hope for joy but alas... it was also burnt. Although our first experience during the week was positive, I'm not sure I'd ever try to come back here on the weekend. When I shell out for a nice mexican place, I want to enjoy a healthy amount of good tequila and have authentic mexican food. Because of the insane amount of customers this night, this was not possible.

    (3)
  • Jaymee M.

    It's weird that I have never written a review for this place. I have been coming here for almost 5 years. It is a quick place to grab lunch by my work. It's decent. Nothing that will blow your socks off, just typical Mexican food. The shredded beef is really good and has a lot of flavor to it. Service has always been fast and friendly. It isn't super busy at lunch time though.

    (3)
  • Lina S.

    Love the service and the food. The skinny margaritas are my favorite of all Mexican restaurants.

    (5)
  • I M.

    This is more American style Mexican food, but I like it a lot and it's always consistently good. The staff is friendly and the food is excellent. Not much more you could ask for.

    (5)
  • Jo C.

    Nice little hidden Tex-Mex place! Service was good and the food was just right! We liked their rice and enchiladas a lot! My dad and I split the fajitas and they gave us each our own portions of rice and beans! Chicken was good, Beef was a bit tough. Warm chips and the dip was good!

    (5)
  • Valentina A.

    Best place to get Mexican food and drinks! And the servers/waiters rock. Been coming here over 1 year now. Always so festive inside too. This place is simply awesome.

    (5)
  • Craig S.

    I wish I could give them a 4.5 -- they're really good on many counts, but still have a couple opportunities for improvement. For years we'd go monthly, but lately it's been two to four times per month, often with friends or family. Value (5) - For sit-down Mexican food, it's hard to do better for cost v. quality v. quantity. Veggies are fresh, which is where some other high-volume places look to save a bit. Taste (5) - If you're looking for 100% authentic "classic" Mexican cuisine ... they're not it. However, I like the taste of everything I've had over the years. And they will make dishes more spicy by request (and/or bring out some moderately hot salsa). For horchata fans, I find it a touch too sweet, but since I rarely mix up a pitcher at home, it's nice that they have it. Service (4) - We are generally seated quickly, but then it can get a little spotty in initial order-taking and/or cook times. I appreciate that things are busy around lunch and dinner rush ... but if you don't staff up, you get in the weeds, and the customer experience suffers. It's never been *terrible* in over one hundred trips, but it's been lacking several times. Drinks (5) - House margaritas are a good value and decent taste (for using mix instead of fresh limes); I don't know if being a regular ensures they're always strong, but *wow* I think it's probably 2 or 2.5 ounces of tequila and about the same in trip sec - definitely limit myself to one if I'm driving. The music is always louder than I'd like - probably my biggest gripe. Another reviewer commented on the parking - I've never seen the immediate area filled, even on weekends or holidays.

    (5)
  • King P.

    The people are nice and the food is always consistent. I would tell my friends about this place and I have been eating here for many years. Order the carne sada!

    (5)
  • Marissa T.

    Consistently good Mexican food. Free chips and salsa are a good start to the meal. We have had their burritos, carnitas, and enchiladas, and they were all good. My favorite are the chicken fajitas.

    (4)
  • Kate S.

    Food was ok. But the beer was very cold!! The service was fast. Great TVs with football on too.

    (4)
  • Jason H.

    We our local and loyal patrons of Tapatios. The food is great and the friendly staff makes this place a must. Try the Pollo Tarrasco.... Muy bueno. Yummy.

    (4)
  • Gabi S.

    This place is fabulous!! They have a lot of salads to chose from. I had their one w/grilled prawns, corn, tomatoes, greens w/a cilantro dressing. It was one of the best salads I've had in a very long time. My husband had their carne asada which was really tender and tasteful. Yum yum! The only thing lacking was their service. They never checked on us, or brought our bill. We had to go up to the front desk to pay and when we did, the lady asked us how many were in our party like we were first coming in. I didn't leave a tip, bc I only tip for good service. All in all I'd eat here again bc it was super tasty!

    (4)
  • Ashlee B.

    We live right down the street so we come here pretty often as it is convenient. I can say that it is my favorite Mexican restaurant in Bellevue area that we've had so far. Chips are always fresh and I LOVE the salsa! The only reason I gave it 4 out of 5 stars is because we've had horrible service on a couple occasions where the waiter was not friendly or brought us the wrong food, and I didn't receive my correct order until the rest of my family was done eating... And they still charged us for it. However, we have had great service many times. Other than that I definitely recommend!

    (4)
  • Silveo C.

    I'm sorry for the bad review. I thought this was Mexican food. I hope this is not Mexican food in this area. I may have to drive to Puyallup for my fix.

    (1)
  • Stephen C.

    Average food, average service.

    (3)
  • Robert B.

    My favorite Mexican restaurant, in the area...with their live band playing tonight to celebrate cinco de maya!

    (4)
  • Michael B.

    Great food! Excellent service! The. Tacos al Carbon, refritos, guacamole, salsa verde- it's all so good!!!!

    (5)
  • Jennifer D.

    Hands down, our favorite Mexican restaurant. There are always little Mexican restaurants in every neighborhood, but we ignore most of them. We drive half an hour just to eat at this Tapatio's location. Apparently there is another Tapatio's in Factoria - make sure to go to the one on Coal Creek. Their chips are always fresh, the salsa is fantastic. The staff is so friendly and accommodating. The tortilla soup and the fiesta salad are my favorites. The Arroz con Pollo is one of our usual items to share. Oooh, and just recently they are offering quite a few gluten free choices! Love that!

    (5)
  • Tammy H.

    Service is commendable! Soon as (literally the very second) we were about done with our chips, the server came with a new bowl of salsa and basket of chips to readily replenish our devoured servings. The proportions are generous, and good. Prices reasonable. Sizzling fajitas are about $16. Warm tortillas are served in a motherly, cloth, tortilla pocket so they stay warm better. I took the rest of my meal in a box to go, they even boxed it FOR me. Happily, and quickly. After we paid and were out the door, I had forgotten the box; one of the servers came out after me with it. How nice! Waited only about 10 minutes for our food to come. Came here on a Friday night. Perfect place to stop by if you're starving. Will be back!

    (5)
  • Melissa F.

    Try this place and you will never be able to eat at the crappy chain restaurants ever again. The food here is cooked and cooked well; doesn't feel like it's just churned out in batches to feed the masses, you know? The sauces and all the meats are seasoned just right and everything tastes amazing! It's located in the corner and kind of hard to spot, but definitely take the time to find it. You won't regret it!

    (5)
  • Justin I.

    Absolutely loved the food and staff.... DRINK RECOMMENDATION - coronarita. Every time I went in, I had to have one, or two and for those fun nights three! =) Highly recommended.

    (5)
  • Craig J.

    Friendly people, service was prompt and as always, the food was delicious. They have the BEST rice anywhere and everything else was top notch. For Mexican food, it seemed very pricy compared to other places in the area especially for lunch. Still we will be back!

    (4)
  • Mark O.

    Mehh. Definitely Americanized and a little pricey for Mexican.

    (2)
  • Jarrod L.

    Wow it's loud in here. The difficulty conversing with my dining companions definitely knocked off a star. The server was very accommodating to the many changes/substitutions asked for by our table and the service was pretty quick even though the restaurant was packed. The food is the same sort of stuff you get at any of the other "Mexican" places around here, which is fine when that's what you're looking for. I had the Molcajete, a beef/chicken/vegetable combination served in a stone bowl. The menu description was accurate and the tastes were exactly what I was expecting.

    (3)
  • Ponarett X.

    I have come to really love this place. I was in recently for dinner and decided to try something different. I first started with a margarita and it was ginormous! And this was their normal size as there is an option to "jumbo size" your margarita. I was looking at the menu and just happened to peruse the vegetarian section and the enchiladas with butternut squash caught my eye. Being the meat-lover that I am, I asked them to add ground beef to my enchilada. The butternut squash sauce was amazing! And so different from anything I've ever had at a Mexican restaurant. When my enchiladas were gone, I licked up every bit of that sauce on the plate!

    (5)
  • Jens J.

    I don't have any major dings to toss at Tapatio's, but this place unabashedly caters to suburban Caucasian sensibilities. Therefore, you will find plenty of yellow (cheddar) cheese here. Though there are a lot of Mexicans living and working in the immediate area, I sure didn't see any eating at Tapatio today. The dining area is large, clean and comfortable. I definitely like the brilliant green wood chairs with blue seats. One thing I've always loved about Mexicans and décor is that Mexicans are unafraid to use bright colors. Mariachi music was being played at a very low volume, paired against a silent flat screen TV on the far wall displaying a telenovela. You get complimentary chips and salsa. However, the salsa was as thin as piss on a rock. Though I'm not vegetarian, I was impressed with a large selection of vegetarian options - including several enchiladas and burritos. I went with the chorizo con huevos (eggs) at $7.95. The chorizo came with your usual refried beans (topped with melted yellow and white cheese) and Mexican rice. My waitress also brought me three hot harina (wheat) tortillas served in a linen napkin. The Mexican rice was very good. I liked that it had a few kernels of corn, a handful of peas and even a single piece of green bean. Regarding the chorizo - at first I thought this very pale chorizo with bits of diced tomato was good, but halfway into my meal, I decided that the flavor of the tomato didn't work with the chorizo. Actually, I've eaten more than my share of chorizo over the years and never seen tomato in it until today. Don't get me wrong. The chorizo was not bad, I just wouldn't have prepared it this way. The waitress I had was friendly, efficient and professional. The busboy/waiter was unsmiling and not friendly. Pobrecito. I thought it was interesting that when one Caucasion customer entered and greeted the manager with a "¿Comó estás?", the manager responded in English and continued to speak to the customer in English.

    (3)
  • Kevin W.

    I eat here at least once a month. It's a favorite around Newcastle. Very good food. Staff is nice and very quick. At least several staff members have been there for years. Reasonably priced. That said, I'm disturbed by the number of Unsatisfactory reviews they have received from the King County Public Health Department. They have had 3 just since November 2010. I'm feeling like it may be time to drop them from my regular places. info.kingcounty.gov/heal…

    (3)
  • Hunter O.

    service was ok not good or bad. same with the food not all that great not all that bad. I would have thought this place would have been better but then my wife reminded me we were in newcastle..lol

    (3)
  • Jennifer H.

    Great for lunch. Good food, good service.

    (4)
  • Thail D.

    Being from New Mexico I often find myself craving Mexican food, and for my money Tapatio Mexican Grill is the best Mexican restaurant I have found here in the North West. Their enchiladas are what I order most often and they are delicious. My only complaint is that they could use to be a bit spicier. I have tried other dishes and have not yet found one I didn't like, they are all very tasty. They seem to be pretty popular (understandably), and thus usually get pretty busy in the evenings, so we often place a to go order and pick up the food to eat at home. We've also ordered a bunch of food to go to feed a small party of people.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 10

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch, Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : 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 : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

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.

Tapatio Mexican Grill

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