We were so excited to get to try this highly-rated spot on a hopping Friday night, we didn't mind the wait, especially with plenty of seats outside for people watching. Once we got the Table's Ready text, we were sat at a comfy table & took in the fun mural & welcoming decor. The roasted chile relleno's smoky queso & baked cheese were so satisfyingly creamy, & the al pastor tacos & charro beans were a flavor parade! The pumpkin sopapillas with cream cheese ice cream were the best sopapillas we've ever had & a portion large enough to share! All the staff were super friendly & worked as a positivity team, keeping waters filled & clearing plates. Server Brianna even took the time to chat us up on a busy night, making us feel special despite the crowd. The bathrooms were clean & well-stocked, & the check came quickly. The only aspect we would have changed was the noise level, as the many patrons were all celebrating the week's end & just as pleased as us to be enjoying Birmingham's best Mexican fare - a small to-be-expected compromise on a Friday night downtown! Treat yourself to locally-sourced quality & care because this place is Magic City GOLD!!
David Green
Excellent Hispanic food!
Just Cre
Be perpared for a wait time of at least an hour. The restaurant is not that big, but they do offer a community table as an option(tables shared with another party)or open bar seats to cut down on wait. The food was delicious, I recommend the chicken quesadilla, and they give a hearty serving of food . The wait staff is really nice and attentive. Not your typical Mexican restaurant, casual atmosphere, because its smaller, it tends to be loud. You have to purchase your chips and salsa, also not a lot of decorations. Overall a great place to eat, for a meeting with friends or a date night.
David Swinney
Food and service great so 5 stars. However, we were victims of predatory towing. We were standing in 100 degree heat with a 2 year old and 3 week old. I am livid! The sign was so confusing. I will never patronize a downtown business again. They were outside just towing one after the other.
Ellen Quinn
A cozy restaurant with delicious food.
Eileen Thornton
Exceptional! The food was phenomenal - the best meal in town by far. The service was flawless. This place has it together. The only challenge is it's too loud to have a conversation. We had: trout, barbacoa quesadilla, ceviche, seasonal veggies, margs and tres leches. All were excellent.
Michael W
Queso, salsa are awesome. The best cornbread, period. Staff are great. Margaritas best in Bham
Jonathan Elmore
Quite simply one the best meals I've had this year. I got the carne asada with potatoes au gratin, hatch chiles, onions, and arugula. Awesome! Chips, queso and salsa were great too. Service was great. Cool old brick building on 2nd Avenue loft district. I will go back. Paid parking right next to restaurant.
Dietary restrictions: Most everything can be made gluten free upon request or is gluten free straight away.
Parking: Really cool, very good restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lee Beall
El Barrio has been one of our favorite places to stop and grab a meal and drinks for years as we visited Birmingham. Now that we moved here we struggle not going there too often
All three hot sauces and their salsa are sweet & that's not something apparent from the menu so if you're like me and dislike sweet sauces then be weary of that. Decor & atmosphere is very nice but it is small and therefore crowded and loud. Server was obviously frustrated and disinterested in our table because we had kids who are trying to broaden their pallets, but are nevertheless still picky eaters. It was made very apparent we weren't their preferred clientele despite being apologetic and trying not to make any special requests besides getting plain quesadillas. I think unless you are in the mood for this specific "fusion" style then you may be better served trying the local food trucks which is what we should have done.
Parking: Coin and app operated street parking
Kid-friendliness: Not kid friendly
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Ceviche
Debra Marshall
It's one of my favorite places to eat! It was my first time getting the soup, and now I'm ready to go back for more!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Veggie Quesadilla, Shrimp Quesadilla, Chips and Salsa
Chuck Whitley
We met family for lunch. There is going to be a wait but it is well worth it. I had the salad with sautéed shrimp, what ever they dressing they used is delicious. Other meals were quesadillas, and the meatloaf. Started out with queso and chips and margaritas, fantastic.
We were so excited to get to try this highly-rated spot on a hopping Friday night, we didn't mind the wait, especially with plenty of seats outside for people watching. Once we got the Table's Ready text, we were sat at a comfy table & took in the fun mural & welcoming decor. The roasted chile relleno's smoky queso & baked cheese were so satisfyingly creamy, & the al pastor tacos & charro beans were a flavor parade! The pumpkin sopapillas with cream cheese ice cream were the best sopapillas we've ever had & a portion large enough to share! All the staff were super friendly & worked as a positivity team, keeping waters filled & clearing plates. Server Brianna even took the time to chat us up on a busy night, making us feel special despite the crowd. The bathrooms were clean & well-stocked, & the check came quickly. The only aspect we would have changed was the noise level, as the many patrons were all celebrating the week's end & just as pleased as us to be enjoying Birmingham's best Mexican fare - a small to-be-expected compromise on a Friday night downtown! Treat yourself to locally-sourced quality & care because this place is Magic City GOLD!!
Excellent Hispanic food!
Be perpared for a wait time of at least an hour. The restaurant is not that big, but they do offer a community table as an option(tables shared with another party)or open bar seats to cut down on wait. The food was delicious, I recommend the chicken quesadilla, and they give a hearty serving of food . The wait staff is really nice and attentive. Not your typical Mexican restaurant, casual atmosphere, because its smaller, it tends to be loud. You have to purchase your chips and salsa, also not a lot of decorations. Overall a great place to eat, for a meeting with friends or a date night.
Food and service great so 5 stars. However, we were victims of predatory towing. We were standing in 100 degree heat with a 2 year old and 3 week old. I am livid! The sign was so confusing. I will never patronize a downtown business again. They were outside just towing one after the other.
A cozy restaurant with delicious food.
Exceptional! The food was phenomenal - the best meal in town by far. The service was flawless. This place has it together. The only challenge is it's too loud to have a conversation. We had: trout, barbacoa quesadilla, ceviche, seasonal veggies, margs and tres leches. All were excellent.
Queso, salsa are awesome. The best cornbread, period. Staff are great. Margaritas best in Bham
Quite simply one the best meals I've had this year. I got the carne asada with potatoes au gratin, hatch chiles, onions, and arugula. Awesome! Chips, queso and salsa were great too. Service was great. Cool old brick building on 2nd Avenue loft district. I will go back. Paid parking right next to restaurant.
Dietary restrictions: Most everything can be made gluten free upon request or is gluten free straight away.
Parking: Really cool, very good restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
El Barrio has been one of our favorite places to stop and grab a meal and drinks for years as we visited Birmingham. Now that we moved here we struggle not going there too often
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food, service and very clean.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa
Restaurantji Recommends
All three hot sauces and their salsa are sweet & that's not something apparent from the menu so if you're like me and dislike sweet sauces then be weary of that. Decor & atmosphere is very nice but it is small and therefore crowded and loud. Server was obviously frustrated and disinterested in our table because we had kids who are trying to broaden their pallets, but are nevertheless still picky eaters. It was made very apparent we weren't their preferred clientele despite being apologetic and trying not to make any special requests besides getting plain quesadillas. I think unless you are in the mood for this specific "fusion" style then you may be better served trying the local food trucks which is what we should have done.
Parking: Coin and app operated street parking
Kid-friendliness: Not kid friendly
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Ceviche
It's one of my favorite places to eat! It was my first time getting the soup, and now I'm ready to go back for more!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Veggie Quesadilla, Shrimp Quesadilla, Chips and Salsa
We met family for lunch. There is going to be a wait but it is well worth it. I had the salad with sautéed shrimp, what ever they dressing they used is delicious. Other meals were quesadillas, and the meatloaf. Started out with queso and chips and margaritas, fantastic.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Chorizo Meatloaf, Beef Barbacoa Quesadilla
Awesome place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great place will visit again it was awesome
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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