Definitely off the path but its probably great for the locals. The chips and salsa was amazing as was the chile verde. Bookmark if you have the pleasure of passing through!
Gloria M.
‼IF YOU MISS AND LOVED EL METATE PLEASE GIVE THIS A READ!!!! THIS IS REGARDING LOCATION AND NAME CHANGE‼ The lady that was renting out this building, Cecilia, and also making the food, being your server, etc., has gotten her own restaurant. She has the same menu, nothing has changed except for, of course, her location and restaurant name. She has moved to 221 W Historic Hwy 66 in the old Eagles Cafe next to Richardson's Trading Post. It is now called Ceci's Mexican Restaurant. If you were to look up "Cecis Mexican Restaurant" here on Yelp, it'll show that it's near the airport but that is COMPLETELY WRONG. BUT if you look it up on Google Maps, it'll show it exactly where it's supposed to be. AGAIN, the address to her NEW restaurant CECI'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT is 221 W Historic Hwy 66
Steve E.
As of 7/16/18, there is a sign on the door saying, "Open Soon Under New Management." It did not say when. I have no idea how the food is. This review is just to warn you it is closed and no word on when it may re-open for business.
Izi N.
I live behind El Metate. They are one of the most amazing restaurants for authentic Salvadoran food I have been too. Unfortunately they are now closed. Construction is happening, so I suspect they might re-open. There are some other things that have happened that make me think it may not be El Metate. Wait and see I guess.
Donald M.
Tried to call three times and phone is no longer working. Asked desk clerk about it and they never heard of it.
Fawnia F.
Love their tamales...but service is not all that great. Since it isn't always busy, you'd think they'd appreciate customers. Ordered dozen tamales. Tamales were cold, asked for warm and was told to go home and warm it up.
Susan L.
Delicious! Yes, you drive into a neighborhood and pull up to what looks like someone's home. Go in! We both had the combination plate and ate every bite. If you want authentic Mexican, then eat here.
Diane T.
Very good gorditas, great tacos and carnitas. I was disappointed in the tiny tamales and the lack of flavor. They were out of guacamole which we could understand. The waitress was the chef, she was not friendly but did a good job checking on us. The counter was cluttered with paper work and was a true eye sore.
Celeste M.
Stumbled upon this gem by accident. Authentic for sure and amazing Mexican food! The wait time was a little too much but well worth the wait. I'm guessing their not used to that much traffic coming in at once? Plan on waiting a while , like 10 plus minutes to even order then another 20 or so to get your food. I ordered a chicken gordita plate - amazing! My dad ordered the red beef enchiladas, also amazing! Beans are homemade from scratch! The only way they should be allowed to be served for sure! The gorditas were made fresh too!
Michelle L.
Service was very pleasant and warm but I wish I could report as glowingly about the food. It was more of a mixed bag for us. The good: the complimentary tortilla chips we received were super delicious; they were very substantial, and almost like pita chips in their crunchiness. The chips paired really well with the spicy green salsa, too! The chips and salsa were definitely my favorite part of the meal. The so-so: We ordered three tamales a la carte: chicken, veggie, and pork. The chicken tamale was by far the best of the three, but still not amazing. The pork was OK. The meh: The veggie tamale was really not that good; it contained what we think were bits of canned corn and maybe green beans, with little detectable seasoning. We also ordered a steak burrito; it was cheap but pretty disappointing. The meat in the burrito was tender and well seasoned but it would have benefited from some other fillings. I am still glad that we tried this place, though I might try some of their other menu items next time.
Quiet, unassuming store front in a neighborhood. I ordered the carnitas and they were delicious. The refried beans and rice were sooooo good. My co-workers ordered chicken tacos, steak fajitas, and tamales and everybody loved their food. Our server was friendly and on top of things. She came back to check on us but not too often, which is a skill. The inside of the restaurant was simple, but clean, and open floor with 8-10 tables.
Lori S.
Great food again. This visit I got the chicken gorditas. Absolutely delicious. Very similar to a pap USA or arepas but with yellow cornmeal. Crisp hot deliciousness! Husband had the combination plate and loved it. Tamale was spicy- just right, relleno -so tasty. If you are in Gallup or close this is a must stop!!
Allison W.
Excellent tamales! Don't be deterred by the location. The green chili sauce was fabulous! I loved the salsa that came with the tortilla chips
Crystal J.
I was excited to try this place after reading the reviews, it was ok. I ordered the combination plate which included a chili relleno, enchilada and a tamale. The chili relleno was soggy and not flavorful, the tamale was average. The enchilada, rice and beans were very good. Negative- After we ordered I could hear plates going in and out of the microwave. They only had two types of tamales the others were all out.
Dori D.
I was looking for another authentic dining experience while spending a few days in NM and I certainly got it here! As other reviewers mentioned it's located in a residential area, you'll probably think that you missed a turn somewhere but look for the blade sign above the house-turned-restaurant and you'll see that you're in just the right place. It's a one woman show here but even with that, the service was good, food was good and it was a really great price. The chicken in the flautus was flavorful and juicy, the chips homemade and the green salsa spicy! The only thing I was disappointed about was that Horchata was on the menu but it hadn't been made yet. Getting there right after open may have been the challenge here. Thinking about homemade Horchata makes me smile but maybe next time. I would definitely be back!
Definitely off the path but its probably great for the locals. The chips and salsa was amazing as was the chile verde. Bookmark if you have the pleasure of passing through!
‼IF YOU MISS AND LOVED EL METATE PLEASE GIVE THIS A READ!!!! THIS IS REGARDING LOCATION AND NAME CHANGE‼ The lady that was renting out this building, Cecilia, and also making the food, being your server, etc., has gotten her own restaurant. She has the same menu, nothing has changed except for, of course, her location and restaurant name. She has moved to 221 W Historic Hwy 66 in the old Eagles Cafe next to Richardson's Trading Post. It is now called Ceci's Mexican Restaurant. If you were to look up "Cecis Mexican Restaurant" here on Yelp, it'll show that it's near the airport but that is COMPLETELY WRONG. BUT if you look it up on Google Maps, it'll show it exactly where it's supposed to be. AGAIN, the address to her NEW restaurant CECI'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT is 221 W Historic Hwy 66
As of 7/16/18, there is a sign on the door saying, "Open Soon Under New Management." It did not say when. I have no idea how the food is. This review is just to warn you it is closed and no word on when it may re-open for business.
I live behind El Metate. They are one of the most amazing restaurants for authentic Salvadoran food I have been too. Unfortunately they are now closed. Construction is happening, so I suspect they might re-open. There are some other things that have happened that make me think it may not be El Metate. Wait and see I guess.
Tried to call three times and phone is no longer working. Asked desk clerk about it and they never heard of it.
Love their tamales...but service is not all that great. Since it isn't always busy, you'd think they'd appreciate customers. Ordered dozen tamales. Tamales were cold, asked for warm and was told to go home and warm it up.
Delicious! Yes, you drive into a neighborhood and pull up to what looks like someone's home. Go in! We both had the combination plate and ate every bite. If you want authentic Mexican, then eat here.
Very good gorditas, great tacos and carnitas. I was disappointed in the tiny tamales and the lack of flavor. They were out of guacamole which we could understand. The waitress was the chef, she was not friendly but did a good job checking on us. The counter was cluttered with paper work and was a true eye sore.
Stumbled upon this gem by accident. Authentic for sure and amazing Mexican food! The wait time was a little too much but well worth the wait. I'm guessing their not used to that much traffic coming in at once? Plan on waiting a while , like 10 plus minutes to even order then another 20 or so to get your food. I ordered a chicken gordita plate - amazing! My dad ordered the red beef enchiladas, also amazing! Beans are homemade from scratch! The only way they should be allowed to be served for sure! The gorditas were made fresh too!
Service was very pleasant and warm but I wish I could report as glowingly about the food. It was more of a mixed bag for us. The good: the complimentary tortilla chips we received were super delicious; they were very substantial, and almost like pita chips in their crunchiness. The chips paired really well with the spicy green salsa, too! The chips and salsa were definitely my favorite part of the meal. The so-so: We ordered three tamales a la carte: chicken, veggie, and pork. The chicken tamale was by far the best of the three, but still not amazing. The pork was OK. The meh: The veggie tamale was really not that good; it contained what we think were bits of canned corn and maybe green beans, with little detectable seasoning. We also ordered a steak burrito; it was cheap but pretty disappointing. The meat in the burrito was tender and well seasoned but it would have benefited from some other fillings. I am still glad that we tried this place, though I might try some of their other menu items next time.
Restaurantji Recommends
Quiet, unassuming store front in a neighborhood. I ordered the carnitas and they were delicious. The refried beans and rice were sooooo good. My co-workers ordered chicken tacos, steak fajitas, and tamales and everybody loved their food. Our server was friendly and on top of things. She came back to check on us but not too often, which is a skill. The inside of the restaurant was simple, but clean, and open floor with 8-10 tables.
Great food again. This visit I got the chicken gorditas. Absolutely delicious. Very similar to a pap USA or arepas but with yellow cornmeal. Crisp hot deliciousness! Husband had the combination plate and loved it. Tamale was spicy- just right, relleno -so tasty. If you are in Gallup or close this is a must stop!!
Excellent tamales! Don't be deterred by the location. The green chili sauce was fabulous! I loved the salsa that came with the tortilla chips
I was excited to try this place after reading the reviews, it was ok. I ordered the combination plate which included a chili relleno, enchilada and a tamale. The chili relleno was soggy and not flavorful, the tamale was average. The enchilada, rice and beans were very good. Negative- After we ordered I could hear plates going in and out of the microwave. They only had two types of tamales the others were all out.
I was looking for another authentic dining experience while spending a few days in NM and I certainly got it here! As other reviewers mentioned it's located in a residential area, you'll probably think that you missed a turn somewhere but look for the blade sign above the house-turned-restaurant and you'll see that you're in just the right place. It's a one woman show here but even with that, the service was good, food was good and it was a really great price. The chicken in the flautus was flavorful and juicy, the chips homemade and the green salsa spicy! The only thing I was disappointed about was that Horchata was on the menu but it hadn't been made yet. Getting there right after open may have been the challenge here. Thinking about homemade Horchata makes me smile but maybe next time. I would definitely be back!