You know how the Genie tells Aladdin that one of the rules is he can't wish anyone back from the dead? "It's not a pretty picture, & I don't like doing it!" He was right. It is far better to mourn the dead - this is what we should all have been okay with doing when El Fenix closed. It was a great loss of a beloved, hometown original. It's just sad to watch the reanimated corpse of the current incarnation stumble around trying to pretend to be its old self.I want to be clear here, this is a third strike situation, not a knee-jerk reaction. After choosing not to wait nearly an hour at another restaurant that was packed, we decided to give El Fenix just one last try because we *wanted* it to be great. Unfortunately, we sat and waited... and waited. The manager on duty stood less than 10 ft from us having a conversation that included his complete confusion about why they weren't busier. He could see that there was no server waiting on any of the tables. He finished chatting & walked away without checking on any of the tables. When our server finally made it back around, I asked if she was the only one working - she was. We offered to pay for our iced tea & left. There is no big mystery why this former local gem is no longer busy on a Saturday night. It's being managed terribly. RIP El Fenix, you didn't deserve this.Original review for the previous incarnation:Love this spot! Perfectly hot salsa & breakfast anytime. Also, they serve an enchilada with their fajitas, so that's a win!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
Mike Horton
We absolutely loved the food!! Salsa was fantastic and the fajitas were amazing!! Great atmosphere and very friendly staff!!! This will be the only Mexican restaurant we eat!!Parking: Large parking in the back with easy access to the patio and restaurant!! We were greeted by several young daughters eager to seat us!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fajitas, Rice and Beans
Karla Torres
The food was great this plate is called Best Special I got it with green sauce. Absolutely delicious, mildly spicy, loved it! The music was great. We sat inside. I love the building and the decorations. Our server was great, very attentive and very fast. I can’t wait to go back and sit on the patio.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips Salsa, Enchilada, Carne Guisada, Rice and Beans
Ashley Gomez
We loved our waitress Amanda! So fun and attentive!! Amazing food and great atmosphere!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tony Valdez
Long wait to get waited on, long wait for food order. When we finally got it, were very disappointed in food quality and portions.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 1
Olivia Southerland
Fantastic & friendly service! Food was great & I will definitely be returning! The bar area is super cute as well!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Enchilada
Abby Brooks
I have no words. Stared at my plate before i picked on it. Just took a bite of everything and was done. I was NOT impressed and probably will never come back. It was a big disappointment. Even the salsa was bland. Btw, the pic was my plate of "their" version of picadillo.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
Sacred Heart
Staff and the owner provided great food and service and even helped out with a surprise engagement for my son and future Daughter in law. The patio area was so well kept and fun! I'm definitely coming back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nathan Lowry
Great experience and will keep coming back. Food, service, and atmosphere are all great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
brandi day
The soft tacos are always my fav, as well as the jalapeño margaritas…. Brittany is definitely the sweetest most attentive bartender in my experience
Excellent food. Amazing Service.Kid-friendliness: There is a bar area. There are dining rooms away from the bar that makes it kid friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hot Sauce and Chips and Salsa, Enchiladas, Beef Fajita Plate, Guacamole, Chicken Enchilada Dinner, Rice & Beans, Combination Nachos, Chicken Fajita Plate
Melynda Badon
The service was so good! The food was amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Taco Plate
Kevin Ball
Since reopening, my wife and I have eaten at El Fenix four times and I have to say, the recipes are NOT the originals. I've been eating El Fenix since I was about four years old and it's as if they took the original recipes and attempted to "tweak" them. The food doesn't even hold a flame to the original recipes. It's missing the consistency and the love that Olivia put into her cooking. Everytime that my wife and I have been, we've paid premium prices for poor quality food, including the $8 for Velveeta queso. Seriously?? Yes, seriously. I am tremendously sad to say, but we will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 4
Richard Strange
Good food, good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
David Pereira
I Travel for work so I’m always looking for something new to try and found this place. I had the pick 3 and it didn’t disappoint. The service was great and so was the size of the portions. Only downside is parking. I parked right in front of the restaurant which faces a busy road and can be tough backing out since the location sits RIGHT AT a corner with a stoplight and it was evening (Dark). Overall I’d definitely go back and eat there again.
You know how the Genie tells Aladdin that one of the rules is he can't wish anyone back from the dead? "It's not a pretty picture, & I don't like doing it!" He was right. It is far better to mourn the dead - this is what we should all have been okay with doing when El Fenix closed. It was a great loss of a beloved, hometown original. It's just sad to watch the reanimated corpse of the current incarnation stumble around trying to pretend to be its old self.I want to be clear here, this is a third strike situation, not a knee-jerk reaction. After choosing not to wait nearly an hour at another restaurant that was packed, we decided to give El Fenix just one last try because we *wanted* it to be great. Unfortunately, we sat and waited... and waited. The manager on duty stood less than 10 ft from us having a conversation that included his complete confusion about why they weren't busier. He could see that there was no server waiting on any of the tables. He finished chatting & walked away without checking on any of the tables. When our server finally made it back around, I asked if she was the only one working - she was. We offered to pay for our iced tea & left. There is no big mystery why this former local gem is no longer busy on a Saturday night. It's being managed terribly. RIP El Fenix, you didn't deserve this.Original review for the previous incarnation:Love this spot! Perfectly hot salsa & breakfast anytime. Also, they serve an enchilada with their fajitas, so that's a win!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
We absolutely loved the food!! Salsa was fantastic and the fajitas were amazing!! Great atmosphere and very friendly staff!!! This will be the only Mexican restaurant we eat!!Parking: Large parking in the back with easy access to the patio and restaurant!! We were greeted by several young daughters eager to seat us!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fajitas, Rice and Beans
The food was great this plate is called Best Special I got it with green sauce. Absolutely delicious, mildly spicy, loved it! The music was great. We sat inside. I love the building and the decorations. Our server was great, very attentive and very fast. I can’t wait to go back and sit on the patio.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips Salsa, Enchilada, Carne Guisada, Rice and Beans
We loved our waitress Amanda! So fun and attentive!! Amazing food and great atmosphere!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Long wait to get waited on, long wait for food order. When we finally got it, were very disappointed in food quality and portions.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 1
Fantastic & friendly service! Food was great & I will definitely be returning! The bar area is super cute as well!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Enchilada
I have no words. Stared at my plate before i picked on it. Just took a bite of everything and was done. I was NOT impressed and probably will never come back. It was a big disappointment. Even the salsa was bland. Btw, the pic was my plate of "their" version of picadillo.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
Staff and the owner provided great food and service and even helped out with a surprise engagement for my son and future Daughter in law. The patio area was so well kept and fun! I'm definitely coming back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great experience and will keep coming back. Food, service, and atmosphere are all great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The soft tacos are always my fav, as well as the jalapeño margaritas…. Brittany is definitely the sweetest most attentive bartender in my experience
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Taco Plate
Restaurantji Recommends
Excellent food. Amazing Service.Kid-friendliness: There is a bar area. There are dining rooms away from the bar that makes it kid friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hot Sauce and Chips and Salsa, Enchiladas, Beef Fajita Plate, Guacamole, Chicken Enchilada Dinner, Rice & Beans, Combination Nachos, Chicken Fajita Plate
The service was so good! The food was amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Taco Plate
Since reopening, my wife and I have eaten at El Fenix four times and I have to say, the recipes are NOT the originals. I've been eating El Fenix since I was about four years old and it's as if they took the original recipes and attempted to "tweak" them. The food doesn't even hold a flame to the original recipes. It's missing the consistency and the love that Olivia put into her cooking. Everytime that my wife and I have been, we've paid premium prices for poor quality food, including the $8 for Velveeta queso. Seriously?? Yes, seriously. I am tremendously sad to say, but we will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 4
Good food, good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I Travel for work so I’m always looking for something new to try and found this place. I had the pick 3 and it didn’t disappoint. The service was great and so was the size of the portions. Only downside is parking. I parked right in front of the restaurant which faces a busy road and can be tough backing out since the location sits RIGHT AT a corner with a stoplight and it was evening (Dark). Overall I’d definitely go back and eat there again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips Salsa, Enchiladas, Taco Plate