If you are looking for Authentic Mexican Food stay away from here! I just ate there today, Friday, 8th of September. I have probably had better food at Taco Bell and that’s not saying much. I’m pretty sure the salsa came out of a jar. I had a cup of chili verde soup which wasn’t that bad. I asked for Carne Asada taco and the server said the Carne Asada is pre proportioned out for the Carne Asada dinner plate and they can’t break it down…okay…so I ordered a shredded beef taco with a crispy shell and got ground beef and the shell was one that you buy in a box at the store, a cheese enchilada (it was just okay), a tamale that was chicken BUT it was cubed processed chicken meat not shredded chicken. The enchilada sauce tasted like it came out of a can. I did ask the server if it was authentic Mexican food before I ordered and she said yes. I did tell the server about the food and she just said “I’m sorry” and brought me the bill…WOW what a let down. I would not recommend this Mexican food to anyone.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Gregory “Thud”
Good tasting food. We both had Chiles Rellenos (Stuffed Peppers) and liked the fresh taste of the peppers. Good service, but could have been noticed and check on by staff more often; we had to make noise to get timely help. Reasonable prices. pico de gallo on the side was OK but not perfect. Overall a 4 out of 5 star rating at a 3 star price
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Jennifer Yerkes
Service was incredible and food was awesome.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Curt Rogers
Great margaritas. Good food. Adults go to the bar in the back. It's our go to date night. The la lumbre tacos (not sure I'm spelling that right) and cadillac margarita are my go to. The hard shell tacos with shredded beef or pork (extra lettuce), and another cadillac margarita are also delicious. Another margarita is key to enjoying the night but not the morning. Don't miss open mic night at the Brown Lantern on Thursday to complete the evening. You're welcome for a great night and a rough morning. But I also have the hangover recovery answer. Calico Cupboard or Island Cafe will help soak up that residue liquor. I pick the location with the least wait time, usually Island Cafe.
If you've never had Mexican and just made a restaurant based on pictures and recipes you saw online, this would be that place. The service was great, but the environment and food was definitely not even remotely close to good Mexican food or culture. There wasn't even something like tapatío on the tables or anywhere to be found. However, the portion size was exceptional, so good on that front.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Mari Stewart
Server forgot our drinks, I had to remind another server that we didn't get them. Food was okay, not great but not horrible.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Pete B
A family owned establishment that has withstood the test of time. Excellent food, very reasonable prices. Plus the offer great coupons!Try the macho burrito!
Nicole C
My favorite cuisine is Mexican. I've tried almost all the restaurants in anacortes and mount vernon and I found this one to be my new favorite. Food and drinks are really good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dave Cunningham
Gretchen the Great is the main reason I give the El Jinete restaurant in Anacortes, Washington, five stars. She runs the bar, a cozy, hometown kind of place in the back of the restaurant. Gretchen is fun, very friendly and makes the greatest margarita in the history of the world. My favorite is the margarita gold, and it's citrus heaven. The food is always very good, and they are fine with special requests: no tomatoes, please, and no salt on my margarita. No problem. On Fridays, we often think about where to go to dinner and almost always end up at El Jinete. It's mainly because of Gretchen the Great!
Authentic! Tasty Beans!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love the food
Great place. Great prices. Even better people.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Carne Asada, Chips, Salsa
Have food allergies and staff made sure my food was kept away from items I cannot tolerate. Great helpful
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips
Great food and great service. Really enjoyed our visit.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very nice!Good food!Nice people!I recommend this!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Carne Asada, Chips, Enchilada, Salsa
If you are looking for Authentic Mexican Food stay away from here! I just ate there today, Friday, 8th of September. I have probably had better food at Taco Bell and that’s not saying much. I’m pretty sure the salsa came out of a jar. I had a cup of chili verde soup which wasn’t that bad. I asked for Carne Asada taco and the server said the Carne Asada is pre proportioned out for the Carne Asada dinner plate and they can’t break it down…okay…so I ordered a shredded beef taco with a crispy shell and got ground beef and the shell was one that you buy in a box at the store, a cheese enchilada (it was just okay), a tamale that was chicken BUT it was cubed processed chicken meat not shredded chicken. The enchilada sauce tasted like it came out of a can. I did ask the server if it was authentic Mexican food before I ordered and she said yes. I did tell the server about the food and she just said “I’m sorry” and brought me the bill…WOW what a let down. I would not recommend this Mexican food to anyone.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Good tasting food. We both had Chiles Rellenos (Stuffed Peppers) and liked the fresh taste of the peppers. Good service, but could have been noticed and check on by staff more often; we had to make noise to get timely help. Reasonable prices. pico de gallo on the side was OK but not perfect. Overall a 4 out of 5 star rating at a 3 star price
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Service was incredible and food was awesome.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great margaritas. Good food. Adults go to the bar in the back. It's our go to date night. The la lumbre tacos (not sure I'm spelling that right) and cadillac margarita are my go to. The hard shell tacos with shredded beef or pork (extra lettuce), and another cadillac margarita are also delicious. Another margarita is key to enjoying the night but not the morning. Don't miss open mic night at the Brown Lantern on Thursday to complete the evening. You're welcome for a great night and a rough morning. But I also have the hangover recovery answer. Calico Cupboard or Island Cafe will help soak up that residue liquor. I pick the location with the least wait time, usually Island Cafe.
Restaurantji Recommends
If you've never had Mexican and just made a restaurant based on pictures and recipes you saw online, this would be that place. The service was great, but the environment and food was definitely not even remotely close to good Mexican food or culture. There wasn't even something like tapatío on the tables or anywhere to be found. However, the portion size was exceptional, so good on that front.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Server forgot our drinks, I had to remind another server that we didn't get them. Food was okay, not great but not horrible.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
A family owned establishment that has withstood the test of time. Excellent food, very reasonable prices. Plus the offer great coupons!Try the macho burrito!
My favorite cuisine is Mexican. I've tried almost all the restaurants in anacortes and mount vernon and I found this one to be my new favorite. Food and drinks are really good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gretchen the Great is the main reason I give the El Jinete restaurant in Anacortes, Washington, five stars. She runs the bar, a cozy, hometown kind of place in the back of the restaurant. Gretchen is fun, very friendly and makes the greatest margarita in the history of the world. My favorite is the margarita gold, and it's citrus heaven. The food is always very good, and they are fine with special requests: no tomatoes, please, and no salt on my margarita. No problem. On Fridays, we often think about where to go to dinner and almost always end up at El Jinete. It's mainly because of Gretchen the Great!