El Rio Mexican Restaurant

I was in Boerne and came across this restaurant on a Saturdaynight. My wife asked for El Rio Delight plate and I had the El Rio Special. She recieved the Crispy Delight but they insisted it was the other.
Well, the rice I had was bland and there was nothing Special about the taste other than the cheese enchilada was good. The margarita tasted like a wine margarita, so NOT made with tequila. She liked her Pina Colada but also had a wine taste to it. I wish I had eaten somewhere else but again it was last minute...

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 4

Yall never disappoint! The food and service is always excellent!! It’s become a Sunday night addiction for my family! Thx guys… see ya next Sunday!! ??

Wheelchair accessibility: Several handicapped parking spots with ramps. My 97 yr old Mom needs that!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Enchiladas, Chips and Salsa, Chimichanga, Taco Salad, Jalapeño Chicken Enchiladas, Taco, Chicken Fried Steak

Years ago my mom waitressed here as a second job. We recently were celebrating her life after her passing and chose to eat here with out of state friends. Friday night at 7pm and there were only 2 cars there. This should have flagged something but didn't. We were seated immediately since I had made a reservation, obviously not necessary. The oil used for everything fried was extremely old. The chips, puffy taco and chimichanga came out super dark and tasted almost waxy because of it. The beans appear to be canned beans and taste much like bean dip out of the can. Considering the occasion we just wanted to enjoy our company and leave. We didn't realize the restaurant closed at 9 but was rather apparent when they started turning off the TVs and lights around us to hint to leave. It took them less than 15 minutes to lock up and leave so I'm pretty sure the oil was not changed out that night at end of shift either. The few positive take aways, the enchiladas and salsa were exactly as I remembered and they were good. The one margarita my husband got, he was very happy with. So sad that this place has gone downhill so much. I was born and raised in Boerne and remember what a big deal going to eat here use to be when we were kids. Not a positive experience for my mom's memory that it should have been.

*****Since I cannot reply to your comment I'm editing here. When we arrived there for our reservation at 730, there were 2 other tables that left before we got our food. 1 table arrived after us and left before we did. You turned off all of the TVs in the dining area where we were sitting. I was not talking about the other section that was completely empty when we arrived! The beans were awful and if that is fresh then that is shameful. They were cold and the texture says otherwise. It was not a matter of just the chips. The oil was old. Everything fried was a very dark color, the puffy taco was not even edible because of the bad taste. I used my fork to pick out the chicken. Looking at previous reviews below...that is not at all what our food looked like. Your response is in an effort to save face instead of admitting that we did not receive quality food. $95 for food that made us sick! You should be ashamed.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

How long has it been since you had a nice, hot, steaming plate of tex-mex? Well . . . that's too long! For us it has been about 4 years since we visited this quaint strip center restaurant with a solid menu of tex-mex favorites as well as some great seafood.

Here you get Pepsi products to drink (which ruffles the feathers of my Coke only wife. They did have bottled though). If you are dying for a cold one, the frosted schooners of beer coming from the kitchen looked mighty appealing.

An overly crispy beef puffy defied a folding grasp, but yielded a Frito level crunch and a snap, crackle, pop of taco good and plenty. Good sides served with the plates of beef / cheese and shrimp enchilada lava tubes. You want to eat these right away, you'd better have an asbestos sheath for your tongue! No wimpy shrimpy here. Popcorn size . . .? P-f-f-h-h! Those shrimp enchiladas were plump with U20 size crustaceans! They did have to swim for their lives though with the encroaching pyroclastic flow of frijoles (see the picture).

Definitely enjoyed rolling on El Rio once again for their consistently well prepared meals and comfortable, casual ambiance.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Great family. Food is always, always awesome. Favorite place to eat in Boerne!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Love to eat here

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The staff is very friendly and treats you like family.

Awesome restaurant great food, service, eaten here multiple time got a to go order tonight and they sent me chips and salsa to go as well made my night!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great food! My dad had green enchiladas, said best he’s had in a long time, store made green sauce excellent. Mom had beef enchiladas with chili sauce she said it was delicious. My kids had bean and cheese tacos and the burrito number 7. I had spinach quesadillas they were all yummy according to my kids. Will certainly be back when we come to town again. Sage our server was great, smiles and very attentive.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Enchiladas, Chips and Salsa

Good good and good prices.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Enchiladas, Taco

Amazing food and service!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Enchiladas, Chimichanga, Jalapeño Chicken Enchiladas, Steak Sabana, Shrimp Fajitas, Carne Guisada Plate

The restaurant was closed on a Tuesday. No sign or notice.

My husband had the chicken fajitas and I had the chicken fried steak. Both excellent!! Waiter was kind and attentive. The lady behind the register was so sweet and kind!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa, Chicken Fried Steak

I can't recommend the steak enough! I had to prime ribeye steak and that was probably the beat steak I've had in a long time. On par with steakhouses if not better! Definitely recommend stopping in a trying it

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Cocktail did not taste right

Parking: Strip mall parking

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 4