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Cat 02/16/2012 2:48:00 PM
Sadly, Yelapa is now closed while El Real remains open, but probably not for long.
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Peraltajg 01/04/2012 11:52:00 PM
I wasnt hoping it would fall when I went, I was excited after seeing positive reviews from Houston area food critics. I gotta tell you I'm at the point where I've become extremely cynical of any review that comes from a critic and not a regular Joe. El Real is awful. I was extremely disappointed with the bland and dry puffy chicken taco, the mediocre pork tamale, and the terrible tasting beef enchiladas. How do you screw up beef enchiladas? My girlfriend and I paid $35 for two plated and were only able to eat a third of it. El Real is definitely not worthy of any praise nor your money.
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dan 10/10/2011 5:33:00 PM
The one time I went, I was surprised at just how bad the food was. Everything tasted extremely salty. Just not edible. The chips were chewy because they were not cooked properly. The chili sauce on the enchiladas was Wolf Brand chili. Rice was all dried out and the beans were overly salty. I ended up leaving 90% of the food on the plate. The taco shell was falling apart at the first bite cause the meat was so greasy. I didn't find anything that could even be considered average. This place won't last long. It is just awful
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ilovetoeatanddrink 10/01/2011 3:40:00 AM
After reading this review I laughed my ass off and I agree with every person who rip Katharine Shilcutt who is arguably the worst food critic known to man. This is prolly one of the worst reviews I have ever read on a restaurant that everyone agrees is going to fail within the next six months. I also shame houston press for allowing her to write a review that is clearly biased and even takes a low blow at another establishment for hiring people. Poaching employees thats a joke because I think you and walsh prolly poach. Everyone knows that Walsh used to be a food critic at houston press so Im willing to bet that somewhere in his tenure at HP yall worked together. If you think El "Crappo" is a "landmark restaurant" you clearly have not had quality food of any type. I'd rather eat from the taco truck down the road then that place again. I wanted to believe they could make tex mex work but cashwell jsut stick to the reef and get out of the mexican food business.
Oh one more thing as I was driving home from 1308 tonight I notice el crappo was voted best tex mex by any guess... HOUSTON PRESS hahahahaha.. I wonder if walsh had pull on that award??? Thanks Katharine for the laugh u truly made my day.. :)
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HiggenbothomH 09/30/2011 6:28:00 PM
Why would anyone poach from a place with horrendous service problems? Makes no sense at all.
My guess is it came from El Real as a rationalization/excuse for their subpar service. And even after the staff returned, as Katharine notes, the service issues continue.
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Devalia 09/30/2011 2:11:00 AM
Big review, and I thought it pretty fairly balanced and informative overall. Well done!
But I have a point of contention that I hope you'll address from a journalist's perspective:
You write: "I understand that when a certain new Tex-Mex place opened down the street, it poached almost all of El Real's staff. It's a tribute to El Real, however, that most of the staff came back mere days later."
You "understand" this? How exactly? Did you hear it from someone? Someone at El Real? Did you witness it? Did a waiter who was 'poached' tell you this?
While that sentence is a convenient bridge to your next part of the review, and weaves well with your general hopeful theme for the restaurant, I don't think it's accurate. El Real was overstaffed at the beginning, the biz was inconsistent, and as such much of the waitstaff were motivated enough to leave on their own. So whither the 'poaching' charge and slight against that other restaurant?
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Texmex01 09/28/2011 3:02:00 PM
El Real needs to have the Texans games up on that big screen on Sundays, maybe a Sunday Texans Brunch Buffet.......I'd be there in a heartbeat...
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Texmex01 09/28/2011 3:00:00 PM
Well Corey, they are usually the parents of chachbags like you......
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Texmex01 09/28/2011 2:59:00 PM
I have been going to LaMex since it was just a little taco shop, and the food is good, but sweet Jesus palomino the prices are WAY out of line for what it is now.....
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Texmex01 09/28/2011 2:57:00 PM
its about to get real in the Whole Foods parking lot....
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Texmex01 09/28/2011 2:55:00 PM
Leo's was a neighborhood fixture through my childhood, we would eat there every Sunday, my father would sit in the back with Mr Reynosa and the boys and tell stories while my mother and the kids visited with the other familes, it is one of my favorite memories..
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Texmex01 09/28/2011 2:47:00 PM
Love LaMex, but different type of food, I like stringy, gooey cheese enchiladas, not Queso fresco in them, but LaMex is still in the lead for breakfast!
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reluctantkaratemom 09/28/2011 12:15:00 AM
As an umpteenth generation native Texan and fan of Robb Walsh, I waited with excitement for El Real to open it's doors. We went for my birthday in March and it was simply SAD. I would never turn my nose up at a Margarita, but ours were undrinkable. My son's flautas/taquitos whatever you want to cal them were inedible. The queso was just okay. I was so disappointed. The waitstaff was as poor as the meal. My husband and I always say we can forgive bad service, but never bad food. The only bright spot was the memoribalia. I knew both Leo and the Tijerina Family and miss those restaurants. We eat Mexican food every Friday night, no matter what city in Texas we are in. I will wait one year and give them one more try. There is a 5% chance they will still be open then.
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Sabrina 09/26/2011 6:01:00 AM
Since moving back to Houston several years ago, I have used the Houston Press as my restaurant guide. The reviews have proven to be reliable, with an eclectic mix of restaurants.This Saturday afternoon I dragged my husband to El Real Tex Mex Cafe with minimum expectations, The review was not exactly harsh, but I did not know if I would spend half my time chasing down the wait staff. My fears were unjustified, We were greeted warmly, and because it was right before dinner hour we were able to pick our table. The wonderful, fragrant salsa and chips were at our table Immediately with our server right behind. The server was professional and while he was busy, we did not suffer. The server asked us had we been there before, when we acknowledged that we had not, he proceed to explain some of the unique menu items. He had my husband at BURGER, which was exactly as it was described, And every single bit of it was devoured. I ordered one smoked chicken puff taco, and the Enchiladas Burunda,I was worried that it was going to be dry and tasteless, wrong again! The manager even had us sample the Margarita, which was wonderful, it was obvious that they were made without all that sweet garbage that is so overused in many restaurants. After the meal, the manager asked questions and seemed genuinely interested in our suggests. OVERALL a great meal and great service!
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Winelush 09/26/2011 2:13:00 AM
What I don't understand is everyone has been criticizing the same things over & over and why hasnt it been fixed? The comment about the staff leaving then returning raises some questions. It sounds to me there are serious education issues that the principals don't have time to address.
I finally went a month ago. My tamale plate came out inedible, dried out, the beans were a hockey puck, the rice looked like uncooked parboiled package stuff.
I didn't ask for it to be fixed. I'm one of those diners once something comes to me that bad, it ruins my meal completely.
My girlfriend however had a another go, the second plate was just as bad.
We want ElReal to be successful. But I always wonder what is in an owners head that they would allow bad product to be served in their name. I never understood that, especially with these talented owners. Very perplexing problem.
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leslie 09/24/2011 10:58:00 PM
I'm a loyalist. I'll stay with LaMex.
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Gross Food Sucks 09/24/2011 5:45:00 PM
Wow, you must be talking about a different restaurant than I visited. Completely over rated, don't get people's obsession to this place and it's trite cuisine. I'll pass!
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09/24/2011 4:21:00 PM
And there's a reason why no one cares what a shithead thinks.
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Anse 09/24/2011 3:25:00 PM
I have patronized a handful of the old-school Tex-Mex institutions (Matt's El Rancho in Austin, Larry's in Richmond, Felix before it closed, a few others), and not a single one of them gets it right every single time, and most of them do a few dishes better than others. El Real sorta had it coming for selling itself as some kind of savior, and putting an idea into the heads of people that it would cook the supreme archetype of a cuisine that is by definition rustic and a little rough around the edges anyway. El Real makes good food, I've enjoyed it myself, but come on. This is Tex-Mex. They're aiming for a target that moves with every customer's personal nostalgic conception of their greatest Tex-Mex memory. They're never going to achieve that but they can still put out a good plate and that's all anybody should reasonably expect.
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Cmetz2468 09/23/2011 4:58:00 PM
As anyone who has read the text on the back of Leo's menu knows, as a teenager Reynosa rode with that quintessential romantic revolutionary hero Francisco Villa (who began his life as Doroteo Arango and is best remembered as Pancho Villa). Photographs of the soi-disant general and his Villistas decorated the walls of the restaurant
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09/23/2011 4:02:00 PM
Where shall we begin?
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Kelly 09/23/2011 3:00:00 PM
This place is delicious. The berunda enchiladas with a fried egg and the burger are amazing! I haven't had a regular margarita yet, but I've had the bartender make me specialty ones that have been very good. I will continue going back for sure
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Still grossed out 09/23/2011 4:37:00 AM
*an
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That's just gross 09/23/2011 4:36:00 AM
The thought of anything called "chili gravy" on top of greasy yellow cheese on top of a anglicized "enchilada" makes me gag. There's a reason no one else makes this shit anymore.
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FattyFatBastard 09/22/2011 10:18:00 PM
Interesting that Robb, Katharine AND Alison all have unique spellings. Something's afoot at the Circle K.
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Jason 09/22/2011 10:02:00 PM
I did.
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Alison Cook 09/22/2011 9:48:00 PM
Yeah, but I got you back by addressing you as "Don Juan," to fit the subject matter. Allow me my little joke.
We just disagree that El Real is a "straight-up crappy restaurant." It seems a lot more mixed than that to me.
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FattyFatBastard 09/22/2011 9:39:00 PM
I offered constructive criticism. Did you?
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09/22/2011 9:26:00 PM
What is wrong w/ suburban white people over 50?
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09/22/2011 9:12:00 PM
'Just like big hair in Dallas.' I heart you!!!!!!
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Jason 09/22/2011 9:05:00 PM
I sent my comments to them about my horrible meal and bad service, and they never responded.
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Jason 09/22/2011 9:04:00 PM
I can sum up my visit to El Real in one word: SALT. My entire meal was so ridiculously salty it was almost inedible, but I know better than to send food back at a restaurant, lest my meal end up with more ingredients than it started with. I was incredibly disappointed because I went in completely open minded, expecting the food to probably need some refinement (every new place has to tweak the food a bit), but severly oversalting the food is just unacceptable at even the most pedestrian of establishments. They also need to do something about the rancid, acrid stench that emanates from the chip warmer over by the restrooms. The unpleasant smell is overpowering and unappetizing.
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JRA 09/22/2011 8:20:00 PM
The " Real Guacamole" at Yelapa Playa Mexicana kills anything served at El Real ...
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09/22/2011 8:10:00 PM
Everyone misspells my name. Don't quit over something like that. ;)
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09/22/2011 4:44:00 PM
This seemed to focus on too many other things than the food, it kind of would get into the dishes and then meander off on a tangent about tex mex history. My impression of this place, has been meh, which also mirrors the attitudes of the employees too.
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Don John 09/22/2011 4:18:00 PM
And then I followed up by misspelling Katharine's name. I'm gonna go ahead and quit now. Yeesh.
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Don John 09/22/2011 4:10:00 PM
Alison, I'm sorry if you feel I misrepresented your view. As I recall, I pointed out that the long list of criticisms in your review should have led to a much harsher conclusion than your summary. You responded that yes, they should have and you weren't sure why you chose the particular phrasing you did. Like you say, it was just a matter of a sentence or two, but they made a big difference in the overall tone of the review.
That said, the fact remains that both you and Katherine had way too many complaints about the food and service to end up with the semi-positive (or at least hopeful) reviews that you published. I tried El Real when they opened and I tried them last week, and the problems have only gotten worse, and that's what's so frustrating about the El Real team -- the perception that they just don't care, that somehow by virtue of their credentials, a great restaurant is just going to magically come together. The more critics hesitate to call them out for running a straight-up crappy restaurant, the less likely they are to take serious steps to fix those problems.
Most of all, though, I apologize for misspelling your name. I should know better!
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Jay Francis 09/22/2011 3:36:00 PM
In the 1950's a Mexican director/actor compiled many of the stories about Pancho Villa and presented them in, I believe, three films. Vignettes of varying time. I would love to see El Real have some of its staff with connections to Mexico track down these DVD's and show those on the big screen. I caught them a couple of years back on Turner Classic Movies and regret not having saved them:
http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/804362/As-era-Pancho-Villa/
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09/22/2011 1:53:00 AM
I think El Real has gotten better with every visit. If it's just me, or two of us, I sit at the bar and drink beer. Thus service and drinks are always fine. And all I know is, every time I order those incredible beef fajita nachos, just like big hair in Dallas, I feel closer to Heaven. Truly the most comforting dish in Houston.
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Alison Cook 09/21/2011 11:32:00 PM
Don Juan, I never agreed with you that I wrote what I did because I was "too close" to the principals of El Real.
I would have to go back and excavate the long, long pile of comments to my review, but I would never have agreed with that point. In fact, I have had such serious differences with Robb Walsh over the past year and a half that I really don't consider him a friend. Not sure how that fits in with your theory. I wrote what I wrote because I believed it and I experienced it. I may have agreed with you that I could have expressed myself more clearly in a sentence or two, but that's the extent of it. By the way, my name is spelled with one "l."
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foodMaven 09/21/2011 9:48:00 PM
Which raises the question of whether the owners are involved in the operation. It's past the point where the inconsistency and poor service are opening jitters. If I'm going to take in all those calories and fat grams I want it to be worth it!
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09/21/2011 9:07:00 PM
Do you realize you are comparing those restaurants to El Real? Haha, ok.
And also, if people can find parking for Boondocks and Catbirds on a weekend, they can sure as hell find a parking spot for El Real in that giant lot. The lack of parking space inside the loop is way over exaggerated. You'll find parking if you want to, no need for valet especially in that lot.
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Biker 09/21/2011 8:37:00 PM
That's only fair, AuntiMatter....to wait until it gets these kinks worked out. Hopefully they will. I have my fingers AND toes crossed, because I really want this to succeed. I actually cried when Leo's closed (it was sad enough when they moved).
As for El Real - I have to say that every time I've ordered the cheese enchiladas and the chicken enchiladas, the meal was 100% perfect. When I ordered the tacos al carbon, they were dry and listless. The service can be strange - overbearing one time and MIA the next. But, like I said before, when they're on, the food and experience are great!!
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FattyFatBastard 09/21/2011 8:28:00 PM
I've been here close to a dozen times so far, and I have no affiliation with this place. Katharine nailed what this place is, so far. At times i have had the best tamales, enchiladas in Houston. And the burger is great, as well as the frito pie. But the last two trips my food (and others) were lackluster. The beans didn't even have that baconey lard taste. And it is so disappointing telling folks they have to try this place out, only to be served half-assed renditions of their food. To be fair to them, I have sent emails to them about my last two trips and they responded back immediately saying they would work on fixing the problem. I hope they do, because when you eat there on a good day, it is easily a place you'd heartily recommend.
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AuntiMatter 09/21/2011 8:28:00 PM
"Is it always perfect?? No, of course not! But when it's good, it's fantastic!!"
I had high expectations for El Real, and I wanted to like it each time I've eaten there. I've been there a few times, hoping they've worked out the kinks every new restaurant has. I've all but given up on the place as anything but a place to have drinks and chips/salsa.
Like you, I miss Leo's and El Felix, but so far El Real has not filled those shoes, despite a pedigree that should ensure it can revive those memories.
Sadly, after a few visits, I've only experienced the imperfect, and never the fantastic. When I start hearing stories of consistently good service and food, I'll go back. Until then, I just feel silly paying for the promise of great, old school Tex-Mex and receiving disappointment.
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09/21/2011 8:20:00 PM
I adore La Mex, as evidenced by placing its menudo at No. 25 on our list of 100 Favorite Dishes: http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/2011/08/100_favorite_dishes_no_25_menu.php And I'm not sure if y'all read the Press every week or not, but the large majority of the reviews I write focus on small, out-of-the-way, hole-in-the-wall places, Tex-Mex and otherwise, that really deserve attention. You're exactly right: That's how I enjoy using this platform, and I'll continue doing so. But we also review high-profile places, too; we want to be well-rounded for you guys, after all. :)
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Biker 09/21/2011 8:15:00 PM
Let the hating begin....it's so strange how the mention of some restaurants and/or some names are so incendiary. Y'all be weird folks sometimes.
Now, this review seems to me to be very fair. Not hatin' on the place for its mistakes nor glossing over them, either. It amuses me to see who reads what into articles and how far reading comprehension has gone down in most peoples abilities.
All that being said, why WOULDN'T any of you WANT to see El Real succeed??? Oh, except for that whole weird jealousy thing going on. That aside, I imagine most Houstonians would love to see this place do well...for several reasons: 1)They had the respect and the cojones to take on a landmark like the old Tower theatre and try to save it and make something GOOD of it. 2)They have the respect for old school Tex-Mex to try to save what was great about this cuisine (bite me Diana Kennedy) and offer it up to this city. Is it always perfect?? No, of course not! But when it's good, it's fantastic!!
I, personally, grew up eating at El Fenix and spent many hours sitting over margs at old Leo's on Shepherd...with its crooked floors and dank dining room (we called it Flea-o's) and eating their fantastic Tex-Mex meals. I'm thrilled that these guys have revived that genre of food and I will support them in this endeavor all I can. Actually, now that I think about it, thank you Robb and Bryan and Bill for doing this. I just don't see why you assholes can't let it be...enjoy it or shut up. Sincerely.a
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Don John 09/21/2011 8:08:00 PM
Why would you start a sentence proclaiming "...the food here is good -- very good..." and then immediately follow up with a full paragraph on how the kitchen reliably "mangles" the food until you can't "appreciate" how good it is. THAT MEANS THE FOOD ISN'T GOOD.
I hate seeing local food critics struggle to find ways to stay complimentary towards El Real. I pointed out to Allison Cook (who actually agreed) in her review that you local reviewers are just too close to the owners to ever write an objective review, and that's terribly disappointing.
These guys started with every possible advantage -- loads of investment cash, nationally-recognized names, one of the living authorities on Tex-Mex, years of experience and a high-profile location -- and have somehow wasted it all. Quit trying to sugarcoat things and just call El Real out for being, by far, the worst high-profile restaurant to open in town in the last several years.
I went there twice when it first opened and got bad service (no water, the wrong dish, someone else's check), overcooked food and no apologies. Took several months off and went back last week. The food was dry, the drinks were gross, and even though there were only two other occupied tables (9pm on a weeknight), incredibly slow service. By the end of the meal, we decided to time how long it took from asking for the check to signing the receipt. It took 29 minutes and 2 follow-up requests. Every single person at the table ran out of water in that time. No refills.
There are literally dozens of better and cheaper Tex-Mex restaurants in Houston, and the only Tex-Mex around that can justify charging El Real's prices is Original Ninfa's. If El Real had any other owners, you, Allison, and the Robb Walsh of 10 years ago would be tearing this place a new one.
To borrow a phrase from your headline's namesake: Stop being polite and start getting real.
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Cjuliet1 09/21/2011 8:05:00 PM
They started doing to go about a month ago and they added to go parking.
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jenniegump 09/21/2011 7:59:00 PM
If this weren't a Walsh-Caswell production, you wouldn't be trying so hard to like it and find the "good" in what is a disappointing restaurant. I do applaud your fairness at calling out the staff's weaknesses and undrinkable margaritas. There are so many wonderful Tex-Mex restaurants in Houston that do almost everything well. It's shameful that reviewers for major publications seem hellbent on making El Real succeed, when, in fact, it may not deserve to. Use your platform to honor the places who have done Tex Mex with respect for years and the many small, out of the way joints who might flourish with your review. Start with La Mexicana, right around the corner from El Real, with its vast menu of authentic Tex Mex specialties, great breakfasts, superb drinks and dignified waiters, many of whom have worked there for years.
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09/21/2011 7:50:00 PM
Papel picado! Yes!
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09/21/2011 7:44:00 PM
Katharine, you seem in denial. I know you want this place to be good - so did I - but the truth is you get far better tex mex at the original Ninfas or at Teotihuacan. The meal I had there was borderline disgusting, the margaritas were awful and it's all overpriced for what it is. El Real just doesn't cut it.
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09/21/2011 7:40:00 PM
I've had good luck at El Real. Generally drop off on my way home--a commute by bus, so there's no need to tip a valet. At that hour, the place is not packed, so quality & service are fine. (Yes, I know they need to handle a packed house.) Don't care for the margs but St Arnold's in a chilled mug is mighty fine--& I even went with ice tea during the worst of the hot weather.
Mostly I love the classic Tex Mex that I grew up with--but think innovation is great. I do agree that the decor needs some work. What about more lights criss-crossing the ceiling? With maybe some papel picado to get that fiesta in the plaza effect? Better movies on occasion? Great! (Oh, the music is generally excellent.)
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Wyatt 09/21/2011 7:38:00 PM
Actually, you're getting kind of meta. I'm talking about your ability to create a bubble that's asking to be burst and then failing to recognize the bubble exists. I don't care so much about the actual meaning behind your comment or your notion of what it means to be polite.
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SHUT UP & EAT!!! 09/21/2011 7:19:00 PM
I'm not trolling anybody, and Ruchi's sucks.
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SHUT UP & EAT!!! 09/21/2011 7:17:00 PM
The one in which you suggest that my affection for Tex-Mex food is somehow tied to who I know/who knows me at El Real
I didn't say anything about your affection for Tex-Mex food. I was talking your affection for El Real.
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SHUT UP & EAT!!! 09/21/2011 7:15:00 PM
Oh, you're talking about the part where I was trying to be polite.
Because the alternate explanation is that Katherine had her taste buds and sense of smell permanently damaged at some point in her life, and that seemed like too wild of an assumption to jump to right off the bat.
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Ruchis4Life 09/21/2011 7:12:00 PM
Why even respond to this ass face? You knew the trolls would be after this one, and they'd eventually be after you had you not reviewed it. And to you, troll, I say YAWN. A least be original.
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09/21/2011 7:09:00 PM
The one in which you suggest that my affection for Tex-Mex food is somehow tied to who I know/who knows me at El Real: "...your appreciation of the place is a result of everybody who works there knowing who you are, and what you do."
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Wyatt 09/21/2011 7:09:00 PM
The bubble refers to your idea that the critic could have gotten special treatment that would have significantly skewed her dining experience.
Not much on reading comprehension?
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SHUT UP & EAT!!! 09/21/2011 7:07:00 PM
I'm sorry. What bubble are you talking about?
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J. 09/21/2011 7:03:00 PM
And as I recall, Robb Walsh was no fan of valet parking.
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Kip 09/21/2011 6:59:00 PM
Do you think the busboys, waitstaff, hostesses and bartenders knows who she is? There are about 3 people who know KS at El Real, Caswell, Walsh and Floyd and they are not always on site.
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Jose Garcia 09/21/2011 6:57:00 PM
Overall I agree will most of this, but I must say that since opening they seem to have improved. Alot of the early mis-steps have been ironed out, especially with the food and margs.
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09/21/2011 6:50:00 PM
Does that mean that the 50 percent of bad dishes I've had have also been the result of "a little note that says, 'FOR THE HP FOOD CRITIC'?" Just wondering if that goes both ways...
I hate to burst your bubble, but my appreciation of the food and intent at El Real comes from a steady diet of Tex-Mex food growing up in Houston and in a mixed family.
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SHUT UP & EAT!!! 09/21/2011 6:44:00 PM
While we're being fair, do you think it's fair to suggest that your appreciation of the place is a result of everybody who works there knowing who you are, and what you do? is it a little possible that your order goes to the back with a little note that says, "FOR THE HP FOOD CRITIC"? Because the good food you describe in this article is in no way typical of my own experience, nor of anyone else i know who has eaten there. The term "hospital food" comes up without prompting about 70% of the time someone describes eating there.
And don't get me wrong - I am a fan of both Robb Walsh and Bryan Caswell. Possibly most for that reason I am deeply surprised and disappointed that two guys with such cred/potential/love-for-the-format could fuck it up as badly as they've seem to have. I almost feel bad for them.
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Rina 09/21/2011 6:39:00 PM
I've been there on many occasions and have been able to park in their lot without valeting. It depends on how busy it is. And as Katharine said - this is Montrose. That's the reality of going to a restaurant there. There's plenty of street parking around too.
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09/21/2011 6:37:00 PM
Last time I went it was mostly 22-25 year old recent grads. Of course, they were lilywhite...
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09/21/2011 6:36:00 PM
Very fair review. About how I have felt about my visits. Fair.
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09/21/2011 6:33:00 PM
To be fair, parking in Montrose is very difficult (see: Hugo's, Da Marco, Indika, Dolce Vita, Cafe Moustache, Canopy, Anvil, Mark's, etc.), and El Real shares a parking lot with several other businesses. I don't think anyone truly loves valet, but it's a solution to a tight parking problem.
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Pronounce it goo-ACK-a-mole 09/21/2011 6:32:00 PM
If you like eating in a room exclusively full of suburban white people over 50, then you've found fucking Nirvana.
(Expect a few Tea Party bumper stickers in the parking lot.)
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09/21/2011 6:17:00 PM
El Real Tex Mex makes you valet your car. Are you kidding me?!? Just one of MANY reasons why I will never step foot in this place.
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09/21/2011 6:07:00 PM
Still. Need. To. Go!
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Walter 09/21/2011 5:57:00 PM
It's the margaritas that need work. With all of the owner's contacts in the food and drink business, certainly someone can come up with a decent house margarita. I have tried to like their drinks and only one, the Sangrita(?) Sangria + Margarita seems to work. The sweetness of the sangria balances the over tartness of the margarita. Otherwise, I just don't care to drink at El Real and I love to drink margaritas.
Props though to those cheese enchiladas. They are the best in town but only when the corn tortillas aren't hardened where the chili sauce doesn't cover the tortilla.
I want to like El Real a whole bunch but just have such a hard time doing it.
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Guest 09/21/2011 5:45:00 PM
If you used to dig 1970's-era TV dinners, then El Real is the place for you!
