The Spanish Traveler Restaurant

Amazing food and service! Our new go to place when in the area. Highly recommend.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent food that is fresh and handmade. But most importantly, they have the best horchata I’ve had in my life. The horchata alone is worth the trip.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Guacamole, Elote Con Queso

A great option for fresh food and a cozy atmosphere. Perfect for date night but a solid kids menu when needed. Always get the guac!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Really good food but very pricey for a place of this size and location. Big menu.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

My husband and I tried Spanish Traveler for dinner recently. The setup is similar to Noodles or Panera, you order at the register and sit wherever you want, but they do come by the table to check on you, which was nice. The service itself was fine, and the food was decent. The guacamole was a little bland, and my cast-iron dish was spicier than expected, but when I asked for a little sour cream to cool it down, they brought it right out.

What really left a bad impression, though, was the pricing and how they handled it. After we had finished eating and were on our way out the door, the person at the front stopped us to say we owed an extra $1.05 for the two tablespoons of sour cream. It wasn’t mentioned when it was brought to the table, and being stopped at the door over such a small add-on felt awkward and unnecessary.

We had already spent over $80 for the two of us and left a 20% tip because we wanted to support a newer business and give it a fair try. Being nickel-and-dimed like that at the end really soured the experience.

Overall, it wasn’t terrible, but there are a lot of better Mexican food options in the Waukesha area, and based on this experience, we won’t be going back.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

2025: I've ordered from here twice already! Everything I've tried so far had been pretty good! I've tried and recommend chips with guacamole. And a large bowl of chicken tortilla soup, because the large comes with a complimentary cornbread and guava sauce. Certain menu items will include this bonus item for free so keep your eye out for it.
My second time here I ordered the RANCHERO BURRITO plus green peppers. I thought it was a little dry because it didn't come with any sauce. But this was easily fixed at my house with ingredients I had in the fridge. I added my own shredded cheddar cheese to melt on top in the microwave! And then I cut an avocado and put that on top, and a bunch of scoops of sour cream... As much as my heart desires! I feel like I took a pretty great meal and made it even better! The quality of the steak was pretty good, and even my cat will agree! She kept harassing me for more and more pieces of steak!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The horchata was the star. Filling on the chimi was good. Overall the rest seemed like an after thought. Im sure it may have just been the timing of my visit. Staff were incredibly friendly.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 4

So delicious. I can't resist their cali queso tacos, chips and queso, and enchiladas. I've eaten here many times and appreciate the gluten free options.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Our bookclub met here for dinner. It's easy to push tables together for a larger group. The food is delicious with an extensive menu.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 4

Every time I have been here, the food has been amazing, the staff is incredibly kind and attentive. I have never had a single bad experience eating here. I highly recommend this restaurant!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Fantastic place with great food and fabulous atmosphere. This is by far the BEST Mexican food in the Midwest. I am an Arizona native that has been living in various parts of the Midwest for 10yrs now, and the Spanish Traveler has the best Mexican food I have had since leaving AZ. It tastes authentic and is delicious. The staff are also extremely friendly and make the dining experience great. Highly recommend.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Quesadilla, Burrito

First time ordering here today. Ordered a meal, clearly printed on the ticket but was only given the main item. Brought it to my car to check because it felt very light and sure enough, no sides. Went back and they acted like I was a crazy Karen for asking for the side items I ordered.
Price is steep for what you get.

Food: 4

Service: 1

So delicious! Clean. Good vibes. Excellent service.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Like others have mentioned, we received the worst customer service I’ve ever personally dealt with in a Hispanic restaurant. I highly recommend training your male staff in proper hospitality. We were audibly ridiculed while waiting for our food.

The food is mid tier, slightly above average. Atmosphere is casual. Tables are pretty close together.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 1

1st thing we noticed when we entered were the smiles, after telling them it was our 1st time, it took on a whole new feel. Gilma took us under her wing, like a good mother welcoming guests. She told us about the food and recommended drinks. We got to talking about the hot sauce and jalapenos in it and I never felt more like I was in her home.

The food came, my Ala Diabla and my wife and daughter shared the Paella.... We loved it and their hot sauce made it just a nice heat as I ordered the medium in case the spicy version would have been too much. I'll order it spicy next time though.

I would definitely recommend this place as it will be one of our favorites from now on. Can't wait to come see Gilma again and get one of the specialty drinks in a clay drinking cup.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Flat Iron Fajitas, Paella