El Charro Cafe

Name: El Charro Cafe
Address: 2303 La Salle Ave, Waco, Texas, 76706, US
Telephone: (254) 753-9272
Price range: $
Rating: 4.5

$ • Mexican

Hours:
2303 La Salle Ave, Waco
(254) 753-9272

About El Charro Cafe

El Charro Cafe is a highly recommended Mexican restaurant known for its delicious and authentic cuisine. Customers particularly enjoy the menudo and appreciate the authentic flavors and welcoming atmosphere. The service is excellent, with staff moving quickly and taking care of customers efficiently. Visitors often comment on the friendly and respectful woman at the cashier or owner, whose welcoming smile makes everyone feel comfortable.

The dining room has a cozy, comfortable feel with wood tones, tile floors, and modest booths labeled “El Charro.” The staff operate like seasoned professionals—quiet, focused, and efficient—providing quiet excellence without unnecessary fuss. Guests are greeted with a cool glass of iced tea and chips with two salsas—green and red—where the red salsa offers a deep, smoky flavor with a hint of heat that awakens the palate. The chips are light, airy, and crispy without being greasy or fragile.

A side of cheese sauce is available, served hot, rich, and creamy—perfect for dipping. The main dishes include the cheese and onion enchilada, which is considered the star of the plate, featuring real, sharp cheese and a deep, earthy red sauce that evokes nostalgic memories of traditional Tex-Mex spots. The crispy beef taco, with seasoned ground beef, shredded lettuce, and bright tomato in a shell that cracks just right, is a classic favorite. The chalupa, layered with beans and cheese, also hits the mark with its crisp base.

Sides such as beans and rice are treated with care: the rice is soft and slightly tomatoey, and the beans are creamy with a smoky flavor, complementing the main dishes perfectly. The service remains quiet but attentive—chips are replenished, tea refilled, and the check is provided at the right moment. Though the check arrives before dessert is offered, the abundant satisfaction from the meal makes it a minor issue.

El Charro doesn't rely on flash or gimmicks; it stays true to what makes Mexican-American food great—delivering deeply satisfying, old-school flavors plate after plate. The restaurant offers great food at a reasonable price, with ample parking and level ground access for wheelchair users.