Service was great. Atmosphere was great. Food was bland. Mahi taco was just ok. Mexican slaw tasted more like an Asian slaw and I’m pretty sure had soy sauce in it which seemed strange. Husband’s food was bland too and we’re pretty sure his meat was sautéed in soy sauce too…not generally an ingredient used in Mexican food. Don’t think we’ll be going back. I remember going here years ago and having a delicious meal so I don’t know what’s happened here since then. Also I’m scared to simply leave an honest review after reading some of the responses from the owners. Honestly that’s a big reason why I won’t be returning as well.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Jack
If I could give this place negative stars, I would. This is hands-down one of the most pathetic excuses for a restaurant I’ve ever stepped foot in. The food is so bland it feels like it was cooked by someone who’s only heard rumors about seasoning. Salt? Pepper? Flavor? Never met them….
The owner is a walking ego with absolutely nothing to back it up. Watching them “defend the menu” is hilarious considering the menu itself is hot garbage. You don’t defend mediocrity—you fix it. Or at least you would if you knew what you were doing. Spoiler: you don’t.
The food tastes like it was cooked yesterday, forgotten about, reheated today, and then served with confidence. Reheated chicken shouldn’t be this offensive, yet somehow they managed it. Truly impressive in the worst possible way.
The staff looks as lost as the flavor—zero urgency, zero competence, zero shame. It’s like everyone collectively agreed that effort wasn’t part of the job description. The drinks are an absolute joke too. Weak, poorly made, and a complete waste of money—just like the rest of the experience.
This place isn’t just bad—it’s delusional. A business built on arrogance, laziness, and the false belief that people won’t notice when you serve trash. This is a joke to food, a joke to culture, and honestly a joke to anyone who’s ever eaten a decent meal.
Save your money. Save your time. Save your taste buds. This place deserves to be empty.
Update: To The Owner.
Well, well.
You’re absolutely right about one thing — I do give a lot of 5-star reviews. I enjoy recognizing businesses that deliver great food, service, and value. That’s actually the point. I don’t go out of my way to leave negative feedback unless the experience truly warrants it.
So instead of taking my review as a “scorched earth attack,” maybe consider it what it is: feedback from a paying customer who expected better.
When someone spends a decent amount of money at an establishment, the expectation is simple — quality. Not excuses. Not defensiveness. Not personal attacks from ownership.
What’s genuinely surprising isn’t your attempt to discredit me. It’s the tone of your response. For someone who hosts and runs a hospitality business, the hostility is telling. If this is how criticism is handled publicly, it says far more than my review ever could.
You mentioned I offered nothing constructive. Respectfully, the review itself outlined the issues. It’s not my job to redesign your menu or train your staff. It is my right to share my experience.
If most of my reviews are 5 stars, that should tell you I’m not impossible to please. It simply means this experience fell short.
Take it as an opportunity, or don’t. That part is up to you.
I won’t be returning — but I genuinely hope future customers get the experience I expected when I walked in.
All the best.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Michele Nelson
Upon first walking in to El Topo, I Was delighted with the atmosphere, the decorations, the liveliness of the bartender, and all the servers were smiling and engaging with the customers. I had a fabulous virgin Margarita and mahi-mahi and shrimp fajitas and requested spicy. All the flavors were fresh and seared great. I will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
mooskie22
Fantastic food! Love the atmosphere! Bartender..fantastic! Best Margaritas I have ever had! I recommend it to my friends all the time! A+++
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lynn Katzoff
How lucky are we to have El Topo in the Flathead Valley, the best Mexican Restaurant in Montana, and I have tried them all. The cantina is the most fun and friendly Cheers Bar where the locals all know each other and embrace the tourists who wander in looking for flavor and fun. The tortillas chips are the best, always fresh, salted just right, and my favorite entree is the enchiladas, just cheesy melting goodness complimented by the Margaritas which are just plain fabulous! Lindi (the owner) is witty, entertaining and caring along with her staff who are like family that have been there for years. All too often we do not take the time to appreciate the goodness around us and El Topo deserves appreciation…….
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michelle Bell
The food at El Topo Cantina is always fresh and beautifully presented. If you like a little extra spice try their homemade hot sauce or maybe jalapenos. I like to pair my dinner with a Clooney margarita… perfect. The staff all work well together and are happy to please their customers. It’s a nice feeling when the servers remember what you like for a beverage and food preference.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Edie Sellars
I love El Topo. The food is delicious and the staff are all so friendly and attentive. Super friendly and fun! You won't be disappointed. 😋
Chiaveli Locsin-D'Souza
Hands down one of my Bigfork favorites! The staff is wonderful and makes it a point to know everyone’s name and make them feel like you’re with friends. Don’t skip out on the Monday ribs that are fall off the bone tender and delicious and Pu-pu platter! Fun to say and delicious, ask for the mango salsa! But really, if you want somewhere to call your local bar or just pop in for some great people watching and a delicious margarita, this is your place.
Tara Allen
I’ve been coming here for over 20 years. I love the shrimp quesadillas smothered, the chili verde with shrimp, the fish tacos, the guacamole and fresh chips and salsa. The restaurant is always so cheery and clean, it just makes me happy every time I walk in. Thank you El Topo for being such a bright spot in Bigfork for tasty food and refreshing cocktails!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shannon Craft
Our favorite dinner spot in Bigfork! We go there once a week for the friendly faces and service as well as the best food! I love their black bean nachos with shredded beef (the beef is so good!) And I also SUPER LOVE their pork Verde. My husband gets the steak fajitas every time and is obsessed. We love it here. (Recently found out we get charged for chips and salsa though..so thats a bummer)
We ate here a couple years ago and it was horrible, but our party wanted to try it tonight, so we gave it another shot.
Six people were seated at a small table right in the walkway out from the kitchen. Other tables were empty, but the waitress acted like she couldn’t touch any of the tables. We were there at 6pm, so it wasn’t closing.
Our margaritas were served in smaller water glasses and we were charged $12 for them. Someone in our party ordered the ribs and they were served dry and looked like they had been sitting around all day. The beans and oriental tasting coleslaw served with them were questionable. The red enchilada sauce was thicker and looked reheated after sitting out, and the enchilada itself was slimy. Overall we all agreed that our food was bland and definitely not fresh. Our bill was over $200. Definitely not worth it and we will not be back. The place needs better customer service and actual cooks.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Mel Richardson
Andrea was great! It was our first time in the restaurant and the food was delicious. We are definitely returning.
Steve Huseby
Good atmosphere and friendly service.. some of the best Mexican food u can get. So delicious
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Josh Flynn
Came in yesterday had to wait 10 mins to get seated food was not good felt sick leaving the next day me and 3 other people in my party all got sick then I called them tonight and the lady was rude she said that if we couldn’t afford dinner why come out to eat and said there is no way we could all get sick very rude people do not recommend and will be making a public post about it
Joshua Flynn
Me and 3 others went in and ate food when we left we got sick the next day the food was bad and tasted old called today and the lady was complaining and making us seem like the bad guy do not recommend this place
Service was great. Atmosphere was great. Food was bland. Mahi taco was just ok. Mexican slaw tasted more like an Asian slaw and I’m pretty sure had soy sauce in it which seemed strange. Husband’s food was bland too and we’re pretty sure his meat was sautéed in soy sauce too…not generally an ingredient used in Mexican food. Don’t think we’ll be going back. I remember going here years ago and having a delicious meal so I don’t know what’s happened here since then. Also I’m scared to simply leave an honest review after reading some of the responses from the owners. Honestly that’s a big reason why I won’t be returning as well.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
If I could give this place negative stars, I would. This is hands-down one of the most pathetic excuses for a restaurant I’ve ever stepped foot in. The food is so bland it feels like it was cooked by someone who’s only heard rumors about seasoning. Salt? Pepper? Flavor? Never met them….
The owner is a walking ego with absolutely nothing to back it up. Watching them “defend the menu” is hilarious considering the menu itself is hot garbage. You don’t defend mediocrity—you fix it. Or at least you would if you knew what you were doing. Spoiler: you don’t.
The food tastes like it was cooked yesterday, forgotten about, reheated today, and then served with confidence. Reheated chicken shouldn’t be this offensive, yet somehow they managed it. Truly impressive in the worst possible way.
The staff looks as lost as the flavor—zero urgency, zero competence, zero shame. It’s like everyone collectively agreed that effort wasn’t part of the job description. The drinks are an absolute joke too. Weak, poorly made, and a complete waste of money—just like the rest of the experience.
This place isn’t just bad—it’s delusional. A business built on arrogance, laziness, and the false belief that people won’t notice when you serve trash. This is a joke to food, a joke to culture, and honestly a joke to anyone who’s ever eaten a decent meal.
Save your money. Save your time. Save your taste buds. This place deserves to be empty.
Update: To The Owner.
Well, well.
You’re absolutely right about one thing — I do give a lot of 5-star reviews. I enjoy recognizing businesses that deliver great food, service, and value. That’s actually the point. I don’t go out of my way to leave negative feedback unless the experience truly warrants it.
So instead of taking my review as a “scorched earth attack,” maybe consider it what it is: feedback from a paying customer who expected better.
When someone spends a decent amount of money at an establishment, the expectation is simple — quality. Not excuses. Not defensiveness. Not personal attacks from ownership.
What’s genuinely surprising isn’t your attempt to discredit me. It’s the tone of your response. For someone who hosts and runs a hospitality business, the hostility is telling. If this is how criticism is handled publicly, it says far more than my review ever could.
You mentioned I offered nothing constructive. Respectfully, the review itself outlined the issues. It’s not my job to redesign your menu or train your staff. It is my right to share my experience.
If most of my reviews are 5 stars, that should tell you I’m not impossible to please. It simply means this experience fell short.
Take it as an opportunity, or don’t. That part is up to you.
I won’t be returning — but I genuinely hope future customers get the experience I expected when I walked in.
All the best.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Upon first walking in to El Topo, I Was delighted with the atmosphere, the decorations, the liveliness of the bartender, and all the servers were smiling and engaging with the customers. I had a fabulous virgin Margarita and mahi-mahi and shrimp fajitas and requested spicy. All the flavors were fresh and seared great. I will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic food! Love the atmosphere! Bartender..fantastic! Best Margaritas I have ever had! I recommend it to my friends all the time! A+++
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
How lucky are we to have El Topo in the Flathead Valley, the best Mexican Restaurant in Montana, and I have tried them all.
The cantina is the most fun and friendly Cheers Bar where the locals all know each other and embrace the tourists who wander in looking for flavor and fun.
The tortillas chips are the best, always fresh, salted just right, and my favorite entree is the enchiladas, just cheesy melting goodness complimented by the Margaritas which are just plain fabulous!
Lindi (the owner) is witty, entertaining and caring along with her staff who are like family that have been there for years.
All too often we do not take the time to appreciate the goodness around us and El Topo deserves appreciation…….
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food at El Topo Cantina is always fresh and beautifully presented. If you like a little extra spice try their homemade hot sauce or maybe jalapenos. I like to pair my dinner with a Clooney margarita… perfect.
The staff all work well together and are happy to please their customers. It’s a nice feeling when the servers remember what you like for a beverage and food preference.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love El Topo. The food is delicious and the staff are all so friendly and attentive. Super friendly and fun! You won't be disappointed. 😋
Hands down one of my Bigfork favorites! The staff is wonderful and makes it a point to know everyone’s name and make them feel like you’re with friends.
Don’t skip out on the Monday ribs that are fall off the bone tender and delicious and Pu-pu platter! Fun to say and delicious, ask for the mango salsa!
But really, if you want somewhere to call your local bar or just pop in for some great people watching and a delicious margarita, this is your place.
I’ve been coming here for over 20 years. I love the shrimp quesadillas smothered, the chili verde with shrimp, the fish tacos, the guacamole and fresh chips and salsa. The restaurant is always so cheery and clean, it just makes me happy every time I walk in. Thank you El Topo for being such a bright spot in Bigfork for tasty food and refreshing cocktails!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our favorite dinner spot in Bigfork! We go there once a week for the friendly faces and service as well as the best food! I love their black bean nachos with shredded beef (the beef is so good!) And I also SUPER LOVE their pork Verde. My husband gets the steak fajitas every time and is obsessed. We love it here. (Recently found out we get charged for chips and salsa though..so thats a bummer)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
We ate here a couple years ago and it was horrible, but our party wanted to try it tonight, so we gave it another shot.
Six people were seated at a small table right in the walkway out from the kitchen. Other tables were empty, but the waitress acted like she couldn’t touch any of the tables. We were there at 6pm, so it wasn’t closing.
Our margaritas were served in smaller water glasses and we were charged $12 for them. Someone in our party ordered the ribs and they were served dry and looked like they had been sitting around all day. The beans and oriental tasting coleslaw served with them were questionable.
The red enchilada sauce was thicker and looked reheated after sitting out, and the enchilada itself was slimy.
Overall we all agreed that our food was bland and definitely not fresh.
Our bill was over $200. Definitely not worth it and we will not be back.
The place needs better customer service and actual cooks.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Andrea was great! It was our first time in the restaurant and the food was delicious. We are definitely returning.
Good atmosphere and friendly service.. some of the best Mexican food u can get. So delicious
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Came in yesterday had to wait 10 mins to get seated food was not good felt sick leaving the next day me and 3 other people in my party all got sick then I called them tonight and the lady was rude she said that if we couldn’t afford dinner why come out to eat and said there is no way we could all get sick very rude people do not recommend and will be making a public post about it
Me and 3 others went in and ate food when we left we got sick the next day the food was bad and tasted old called today and the lady was complaining and making us seem like the bad guy do not recommend this place
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
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