What a fun place. So rustic, so beautiful. The food was awesome. The girl who served us was so fun. We will be back to visit!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Coconut
Ash Bagan
The food is great as is the service!
Roberta Taylor
Everything tasted so good!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Cauliflower
Ashton Bishop
A Sensory Experience.
El Cortez definitely sets the bar high for vibrant Mexican within the city of Edmonton. Situated just North of Whyte Ave on Gateway Boulevard in a beautiful historical building. It’s been almost ten years since El Cortez opened it’s doors and has been a huge staple for the area.
Enter through it’s large wooden doors and immerse yourself within its fun and playful room. With ample seating options both inside and out. For the tequila conoscere you’ll be in the right place with a large variety of tequilas and cocktails to choose from.
The menu boasts a large variety of foods to chose from, with all of the traditional favourites. One of our favourites being the coconut shrimp tacos, with pineapple glaze and salsa.
Now to get into it. El Cortez has been around for almost a decade and the inside room feels like it. Sort of like an old dusty room that hasn’t been cleaned in a while. It’s time for a fresh coat of paint and a good scrub down. Replace a bunch of the burnt out lightbulbs and bring a bit of that vibrance back. I understand the vibe is more cave like and “dark” in a sense, but that can be accomplished in a clean fresh way.
The food was prompt in it’s delivery and definitely one of the more flavourful menus when it comes to Mexican in the city of Edmonton. However the meats seem to be overcooked and chewy each time we come. Flavourful, but chewy. This last time we came in we ordered the battered fish tacos and coconut shrimp taco. Both overcooked in a way. Almost like the kitchen is afraid to send out something raw so they overdo it instead. The coconut shrimp was identical to the texture of Chinese ginger beef that has been sitting under a warmer. Almost like the pineapple glaze “candied” and hardened the shrimp. Flavour wise still above average, but unfortunately I can’t give “.5’s” in a rating because I would give El Cortez a 3.5 star. It’s above average but not quite a four. Service was similar in this regard, happy and helpful but only average, nothing extraordinary or memorable. It’s okay to chit chat at a table (even if that chit chat is just restaurant related). I hate when the only time the server talks to you is at that awkward time when you are paying with the debit machine. Like the last chance at a good tip.
All in all I will still recommend El Cortez as a “must try at least once” spot. But generally I think this place is absolutely perfect for that younger, drunken weekend crowd.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Munpreet Hundle
Friendly staff, great food which came really quickly and the drinks were great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Angeline Rolland
Fantastic deal on Taco Tuesdays! $2 tacos, just need to get in orders of 2 or 4, along with a drink (doesn't have to be alcoholic). All the tacos were great, but our favorites were the red chorizo, battered cod and both shrimp options. They were small, but definitely worth the $2! They came out surprisingly quick and the servers were friendly and gave great suggestions
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jason Wright
I absolutely pigged out!! What an awesome place!! Our server had a unique name I wish I could remember. He was fantastic! We'll definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yassin Mahboub
Came during taco night 2$/taco, was real busy but was worth the wait, tacos were really good, tastes authentic.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Guacamole, Tacos Al Pastor
Beth Mulligan
This is such a cool little place. They have an extensive cocktail menu and tequila selection. I only had one drink today but it was great and I will definitely be back!
Kid-friendliness: Kids allowed during the day
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Will van Engen
A few weeks ago I went down to El Cortez with my parents, my wife, and our young son. Abuma was our server and he was excellent. Both my wife and I have worked in the restaurant industry and we were both impressed by his service. It was a busy Taco Tuesday night and he made sure we were taken care of at all times. The tacos were incredible as well, with great vegetarian options.
An interesting atmosphere inside with live DJ when I went (it was very loud however). The tacos were alright. However the $2 taco Tuesday special requires to order you drinks. That would be fine however it doesn't say that anywhere (not on instagram, the menu, or the signboard inside). With pop being $4 it's a bit absurd, and they make every person at the table get a drink. It's a sleezy practice to be honest.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Read Farnham
Taco Tuesday with Ryan and Vince and Chris and Ken was wicked ? music duper loud couldn’t hear Ryan speaking ??
Food: 5
Thereallifeveronica
$2 tacos on Tuesdays are totally worth it! Such good food and our server was super friendly with our group :) will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sheena Walters
The environment is very uplifting and positive. Our service was solid as our server checked on us quite often. The food is by far amazing! I will literally go out of my way in the city to come here for tacos. The El Pastor pineapple Taco is legit my favorite. We also had a plate of nachos that was so delicious we did not take a picture of it, and we finished off with a wonderful bowl of churros with a delicious sauce. Overall a very satisfied experience, and very satisfied tummies
Parking: You either have street parking or a paid parking lot across the street from El cortez. Could be quite tricky on busy nights to find parking, but overall accessible parking
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: House-Made Churros, Chicken Tinga, Tacos Al Pastor
Bithania Kassa
Pamela was so amazing and personable! Truly made our experience great, her bubbly personality made us feel welcomed and taken care of.
What a fun place. So rustic, so beautiful. The food was awesome. The girl who served us was so fun. We will be back to visit!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Coconut
The food is great as is the service!
Everything tasted so good!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Cauliflower
A Sensory Experience.
El Cortez definitely sets the bar high for vibrant Mexican within the city of Edmonton. Situated just North of Whyte Ave on Gateway Boulevard in a beautiful historical building. It’s been almost ten years since El Cortez opened it’s doors and has been a huge staple for the area.
Enter through it’s large wooden doors and immerse yourself within its fun and playful room. With ample seating options both inside and out. For the tequila conoscere you’ll be in the right place with a large variety of tequilas and cocktails to choose from.
The menu boasts a large variety of foods to chose from, with all of the traditional favourites. One of our favourites being the coconut shrimp tacos, with pineapple glaze and salsa.
Now to get into it.
El Cortez has been around for almost a decade and the inside room feels like it. Sort of like an old dusty room that hasn’t been cleaned in a while. It’s time for a fresh coat of paint and a good scrub down. Replace a bunch of the burnt out lightbulbs and bring a bit of that vibrance back. I understand the vibe is more cave like and “dark” in a sense, but that can be accomplished in a clean fresh way.
The food was prompt in it’s delivery and definitely one of the more flavourful menus when it comes to Mexican in the city of Edmonton. However the meats seem to be overcooked and chewy each time we come. Flavourful, but chewy. This last time we came in we ordered the battered fish tacos and coconut shrimp taco. Both overcooked in a way. Almost like the kitchen is afraid to send out something raw so they overdo it instead. The coconut shrimp was identical to the texture of Chinese ginger beef that has been sitting under a warmer. Almost like the pineapple glaze “candied” and hardened the shrimp. Flavour wise still above average, but unfortunately I can’t give “.5’s” in a rating because I would give El Cortez a 3.5 star. It’s above average but not quite a four. Service was similar in this regard, happy and helpful but only average, nothing extraordinary or memorable. It’s okay to chit chat at a table (even if that chit chat is just restaurant related). I hate when the only time the server talks to you is at that awkward time when you are paying with the debit machine. Like the last chance at a good tip.
All in all I will still recommend El Cortez as a “must try at least once” spot. But generally I think this place is absolutely perfect for that younger, drunken weekend crowd.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Friendly staff, great food which came really quickly and the drinks were great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic deal on Taco Tuesdays! $2 tacos, just need to get in orders of 2 or 4, along with a drink (doesn't have to be alcoholic).
All the tacos were great, but our favorites were the red chorizo, battered cod and both shrimp options. They were small, but definitely worth the $2! They came out surprisingly quick and the servers were friendly and gave great suggestions
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I absolutely pigged out!! What an awesome place!! Our server had a unique name I wish I could remember. He was fantastic! We'll definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Came during taco night 2$/taco, was real busy but was worth the wait, tacos were really good, tastes authentic.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Guacamole, Tacos Al Pastor
This is such a cool little place. They have an extensive cocktail menu and tequila selection. I only had one drink today but it was great and I will definitely be back!
Kid-friendliness: Kids allowed during the day
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
A few weeks ago I went down to El Cortez with my parents, my wife, and our young son. Abuma was our server and he was excellent. Both my wife and I have worked in the restaurant industry and we were both impressed by his service. It was a busy Taco Tuesday night and he made sure we were taken care of at all times. The tacos were incredible as well, with great vegetarian options.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
An interesting atmosphere inside with live DJ when I went (it was very loud however). The tacos were alright. However the $2 taco Tuesday special requires to order you drinks. That would be fine however it doesn't say that anywhere (not on instagram, the menu, or the signboard inside). With pop being $4 it's a bit absurd, and they make every person at the table get a drink. It's a sleezy practice to be honest.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Taco Tuesday with Ryan and Vince and Chris and Ken was wicked ? music duper loud couldn’t hear Ryan speaking ??
Food: 5
$2 tacos on Tuesdays are totally worth it! Such good food and our server was super friendly with our group :) will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The environment is very uplifting and positive. Our service was solid as our server checked on us quite often. The food is by far amazing! I will literally go out of my way in the city to come here for tacos. The El Pastor pineapple Taco is legit my favorite. We also had a plate of nachos that was so delicious we did not take a picture of it, and we finished off with a wonderful bowl of churros with a delicious sauce. Overall a very satisfied experience, and very satisfied tummies
Parking: You either have street parking or a paid parking lot across the street from El cortez. Could be quite tricky on busy nights to find parking, but overall accessible parking
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: House-Made Churros, Chicken Tinga, Tacos Al Pastor
Pamela was so amazing and personable! Truly made our experience great, her bubbly personality made us feel welcomed and taken care of.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Loading...