El Cazador Mexican Grill & Cantina

We are especially impressed with the server Teresa. She is efficient, friendly, professional and is remarkable at remembering customer preferences and orders.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

There was no wait, which was nice. The food was pretty subpar compared to other Mexican restaurants I have been to. The ground beef was pretty greasy and the taco salad was just not that good. But our waitress was nice and attentive, although it was not clear if we paid our server or up at the front. Overall not the best meal I had on Oak Harbor, but definitely not the worst.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 4

When I was young my family would go to El Cazador as a treat. The portions were large and the food always had that familiar taste of lime juice, cumin and spices that you expect of a Mexican restaurant. I moved away, and when I returned as an adult I would try El Cazador during a visit to reminisce on those familiar flavors and childhood memories. Recently my wife and I were in Oak Harbor and decided to have dinner before heading to the Whidbey Playhouse for a show. Our experience was a total shock. Overpriced entrees, meat with flavors evocative of a retirement home's cafeteria, and a hidden price for chips and salsa refills squirrled away in the appetizer section. Among the disappointment of the meal was the disappointment of the dining room. The main section was nicely dim lit and relaxing. We were taken to the bar section with loud discordant pop music, creaky chairs, and a wobbly table. El Cazador today is like a zombie of a loved one. It is a familiar face, that once filled my heart with warmth, but its decay has morphed it into something sinister that makes me wish I had never seen it this way.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 2

We’ve loved coming back for a guaranteed delicious meal and always treated the very best. My husband and I are huge fans of any of their tacos but truly so many good options! Their Freshly prepared guacamole is always a must!
Despite it being packed house, things moved quite fast and our waiter was awesome!
Will always recommend!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

A staple of oak harbor

A staple of oak harbor

Mexican food is Mexican food

Great birria tacos!

I recently stopped in El Cazador and got the Avocado Taco Salad that the server recommended. I got it with steak and am so glad I did because it was the most amazing juicy and tender steak. Definitely recommend stopping in amd giving them a try.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Pretty good food, good service too.

All around, pretty solid.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

There was a hair in my quesadilla. So gross!

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Our waiter was absolutely phenomenal! I wish I had learned his name so I could share. You won't miss him, however. Best dimples ever!! The food is fantastic! We came from Chehalis Washington and joked about making the drive again just for the food!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Not sure what has happened to this place, but I remember both the food and service used to be superb and is now only subpar. The wait to be seated wasn’t long at all, but from there it went downhill. The chips they bring with the salsa must’ve been the bottom of the bag because they were mostly crumbs…no worries. The drinks we ordered (soda and water) took 15-20 minutes to come. The food that was served tasted so much different than what I remembered, more blah than amazing, like it comes from a can vs homemade. It just seems like the food was more authentic when the parents owned this place than it does now and for that reason I will not be returning nor could I recommend this place to family/friends.

*Natasha R., “owner” of the establishment wrote that she has owned this place since 2009: I haven’t been there since approximately this time and I can tell you the taste of the food has gone way down. She also said that I said the food came from a can when I merely stated it tastes like it came from a can, not that it did: big difference, Natasha. With that said the ball’s in your court and again, I’ll stick with T$%&# in Burlington (name purposely not shown as to not be too rude). God bless and take good care. I pray your establishment is successful.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 2

Very friendly and wonderful food

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I loved it, because I love Mexican food, and there's was excellent. Service a could have been a little quicker...

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4