EL Amigo Mexican Restaurant & Bar

If not for the good food, I would have disliked the whole experience. Unlike others, I did not view their old building as quaint, but rather unnerving in both sight and smell. Adding to my dissatisfaction of their facility, it was hot in the dining area, and I was there late on a cool summer night. It was so hot inside, I looked forward to leaving to cool off in the parking lot. It would have helped if they piped in some music, but it was dead silent, which I found odd. They had a few tables set up just outside their door, which I would hardly call that a "patio area". More like, "Would you like to be seated inside or in the parking lot?" The rest of the building is a makeshift attempt at putting rooms wherever they could, even the bathroom seemed like an afterthought with its very low ceiling. They had no hot water (no water at all on the hot side) in the bathroom, which I believe is a violation of health code, and that makes me wonder how many other health codes they do not take seriously.



Other aspects were better. The service was acceptable, average at best, and the prices were okay. They had a very organized and professional menu, a rarity for Mexican restaurants. (Nice website too.) Although they close at around 10pm, do NOT go to this restaurant after 8pm, unless you don't mind them cleaning, sweeping, running a vacuum, and shutting down tables around you. I found that distracting and unappetizing.



But, as I mentioned, the food was very good, and I tend to be hard on Mexican restaurant food. It's difficult to find a Mexican restaurant that takes food seriously - to make it fresh, properly cooked, and served hot to the table. Their refried beans, a staple of most Mexican restaurants, were fresh and without the typical lardy taste. The rice did not taste scorched or over cooked in a kettle last used to cook meat like at most Mexican restaurants. I would like to see their quesadillas use bigger tortilla shells like other places, but besides the size, it was very good. I almost forgot the mention their salsa for the chips... muy deliciosa! It was fantastic, tasty and fresh and not overly hot.



All-in-all, I would rate this restaurant high in food quality, average in service, and low on the facility, however, you might find the building a novelty. I would go there again. If you go, do not be put out by the building, just wait for the food, and I'm sure you find it was worth dealing with the old building.