Reviews of Tacos El Matador (Coffee Shop)

vrgrindd '

First experience here. Great food and friendly staff! We will be back

Jenna Miller

Excellent, authentic, and inexpensive tacos! Highly recommend. Definitely a hole in the wall type place but if you like authentic tacos then you know that's a good thing. Pastor were some of the best I've had and asada was very good also!

Alexander Aguirre

This place is the place to go in Kansas City for authentic Hispanic food. No other location compares. The staff are friendly and welcoming. There's fast service along with complimentary chips. The salsa Verde is the best I've ever had and the carne asada is delicious. Can't recommend enough.

Lynda J Leonard

Small, a bit funky, but awesome real authentic Mexican food. Can't wait to go back and try the Huevos Rancheros.

Tommy Harmon

Staff was nice, tacos were fantastic and the building was basic. While I was there, a State Inspector popped in to do her job. Seemed like the staff, especially my waitress, were distracted so service was lacking.... understandable, I'm not upset. I'll definitely be back with some friends.

Reed Nelson

Just amazing tacos and sopes and gorditas. They crisp up the lengue and buche on the flat top grill... and it’s just perfect. The service is super friendly as well from the young folks working there. One of my favorite places.

Shay Ward

Food is good but the service is ok

Robert Laffler

Pleasant and good food.

Lance Stark

It is one of the best authentic Mexican food restaurants out there if you haven't tried it try it you will be amazed at the flavors in their sauce and everything that they have to offer I didn't like avocados but I love their avocados 5 stars all the wayy

Rafael Valverde

very nice

Adam Springer

Absolutely fantastic food. The tacos are some of the best that I've ever had! Try the chorizo and the asada. Both are absolutely out if this world!!

Matthew Skaggs

The way tacos should be. Great little hole in the wall place.

T C

My husband and I went on Taco Tuesday for the first time. We both ordered what we thought were the hard tacos, rice and beans. We got street tacos instead, which were very good, so no complaints. I like that they give us bottles of salsa since we seem to power through quite a bit. The server was very sweet. The place was nothing fancy, but cozy. We will definitely be back.

Rick Thompson

Great authentic Mexican food you wouldn't think...

Tamara Finley

Great carne asada tacos. Can't beat them

Natalie R

Great carne asada tacos

Jaime Jaramillo

Carnita's is incredible, service is great. Chips are nice and crispy not greasy. I'd definitely make this a frequent. THEY SERVE MENUDO EVERYDAY.

Alex Patton

I went for the first time last night. Ordered a few tacos (asada, shrimp, and tripe). They were all excellent. So good I almost left the house to go back and get some more. Loved the food and the salsa verde was a great blend of spice and taste! I will be going back.

Robert Vincent

I really enjoyed going to this place it's pretty top-notch authentic Mexican food

john williamson

I called an order In To Go I gave them plenty of time but when I got there it wasn't ready and when they did give it to me it was not what I ordered they said they would fix it but I'm on a schedule and I couldn't wait around and had to leave

Casey Moore

Great food. Good service. Cheap beer. Worth the drive.

Matt Wooldridge

Everything here is great. Get the steak torta if you have a chance.

Craig Nichols

Slow service and average tacos made for a very average experience.

cris milton

Good food

Tracy Russell

Awesome food. Great place to eat great food with low costs and lots of quantity and quality.

John Kennedy

Terrific Taco Tuesday deals. Some may say it's a steal of a deal.

Valerie Nicole

Very good food

Jason Bigler

Great place to check out for some tacos! They serve the traditional street style tacos. However, they also have a deep fried version that they serve for a discounted price for their taco Tuesday specials.

Boryana Koseva

I accidentally discovered this place with a friend. We grabbed a few soft tacos for lunch, and we had to come back for dinner. The tacos are just that good. Service is very friendly. It looks like a family business, and the people are very nice. Yes, service can be a bit slow but everything is made right then, and it's fresh and delicious! The breakfast burritos are pretty great too.

Gai Green

So so kinda place. Don't see a reason to go back.

Hiram Lytch

Service is great and so is the food.

Ashley Gutierrez

My favorite place to eat.

James Gallo

Authentiv Mexican food ..great prices

Tarra Damou

Best tacos around

Heather Hankins

Delicious carne asada and chicken tacos. Authentic taste.

Julie Roepke

Great food and service

Drew Herren

Great affordable tacos!

S Vaughn

Edit to review. I compared to Christies 'chicken fried steak' sandwich. I meant to say their big 'pork tenderloin' sandwich as what I wanted to describe. Anyway, it is better at Tacos El Matador! Also since review, have seen they added Fettucine Alfredo pasta with chicken, etc. to menu. Looking forward to try new menu items and will update. I have been going here for yrs. but was afraid of giving my review would make it too crowded, make prices go up! Wanted to keep it a hidden gem secret! But that is not fair/selfish, and am finally writing this because I saw the review by Esmeralda Herrera, and don't think it is fair. Very suspect, even like from a competitors friend?? I drive here from Johnson County alone as a 50+ female, even at night and NEVER felt afraid. Nonsense reviews about that! I found it near the Boulevard Drive In when leaving from antique shopping at their weekend flea market. Herrera said 2 day old meat? Nonsense! That is #1 reason I go there! Quality and quantity, well trimmed of fat, grissel, fresh and actually seasoned well, tender, moist, etc. That has been my #1 deal breaker with most Mexican places I have tried. OMG, the barbacoa/shredded beef is even better than my mothers! Like the best Sunday pot roast your American mother makes. O.K., Now for the American Fare. My big worry of becoming too crowded too. Nobody would be standing in line up the street at Grand Stand Burgers, they would be here doing it! Better meat, better bun, cheaper, better fries-for only a dollar w/burger, no waiting in line out the door, cooked better, always ready and hot in 10 min. for call-in order. Actually the best burger and fries in K.C. if looking for that old fashioned type, and better than McDonalds/Chains crap BY FAR! I get a big double cheeseburger with everything and EXCELLENT fries for less than McDonalds! Also, same with their chicken fried steak sandwich. Cheaper than Christies, better quality, tastier! Best shredded beef burrito in town! Tacos: Never had a bad one, not skimpy on meat portion. Not a fan of ground beef in fried taco shell though-Like the waitress said, why get a taco like that at an authentic Mexican place? I agree, go to Taco Bell for a good American Taco. (new Merriam location by Ikea is best/better Taco Bell). Friendly service everytime!!!! I tip better there than more expensive places since I save on price for better food! Very helpful/patient in explaining in English, newbies to authentic Mexican, stuff I did not even know. Even had owner/chef speak with me. Would be a GREAT place to go if learning and been afraid to try authentic Mexican cuisine. Cons: Not a first date place like fancier places, or maybe you should consider who you are dating- test?! Lol!. Will be too small eventually to accommodate all the customers when it is found out, and prices might go up if they move. I like that I don't feel like I have to dress up to go there-keep those old booths/decor! It is clean. I am a chef. I like places that actually have the balls to season their food. However, sometimes too salty. Maybe using garlic salt instead of powder, seasonings that include salt? To owner: Keep doing it as you are at this location.You do so well because you are serving better food for a fair price! If you try to change, you will be just another average overpriced Mexican place among too many!

Crysy Brawley

Delicious Tacos, friendly staff, and great prices. We will be returning!

James Skivers

Always excellent food and great service. Breakfast is great on a cold day.

Jessica Branson

All I had was the Taco Salad and the Guacamole and they were both amazing.

Aaron E.

Price is good and the tacos are authentic and amazing

Mark Kelly

A nice find close to the city. Excellent prices for excellent food.!

Joey Koonce

Want authentic? Then this is the place for you. Best tacos around without a doubt. No fancy frills here..just honest authentic fare.

Jamie Wilson

I will be completely honest the food was terrific.. unfortunately the first experience was through doordash ... i was charged a high price for food that was not prepared properly . The owner continued to argue with my delivery driver that my food was correct and complete, which made my families hunger pain extend.. I also had a piece of black silk hair on my taco... Truth be told, I am an all natural African-American with tightly packed cuticles. At the end of the night it took 2 hours for great tacos!

Amber Rohlman

The first Mexican restaurant I have been able to get my Texan hubby to say is good! Don't let the look of the place fool you, the food is amazing and the staff is excellent!

Shari Sletteland

The restaurant was a little bit on the warm side, but the food was excellent

Jesse Star

Good tacos and salsa

Andy Dufresne

Really good food. Nice people.

jaime vega

Best tacos de tripas! Very authentic para la raza!

Jeremy Mercado

Authentic food. Genuine owners. Lovely hidden gem in Merriam.

John Martindale

Really good. A real hidden gem.

Cynthia Molina

Food is so good here.

angie wiglesworth

Love this place. Great food, nice people.

Heather M

Service was great. I love the green salsa. We will be back for sure.

Erika Graham

Estos tacos están matadores! These are some killer tacos! I consider myself a taco connoisseur, I’ve tried tacos in Mexico City, Monterrey, Las Vegas and New York. These tacos are among the most delicious ones I’ve tried. The meat is delicious and while the taco is not dripping grease it’s still very flavorful. I asked for them to grill my onions which they did and that gave the tacos a very MEXICO City street like flavor. I gave it 4 stars as the tortilla is the traditional white corn as opposed to yellow, which is widely used in the streets of Mexico in taco stands. The chips tasted stale and it took a while to get our food. However you don’t go to a taco place to get chips and salsa but to get tacos so I can easily overlook the chips. I had a carne asada taco, a chorizo and a pastor, they were all delicious. The salsas were ok, not great and that is another area in which they could improve. Overall these are amongst the best tacos in KC and i will definitely be coming back for more! I only wish this restaurant was in a better part of town as I would not venture to come eat here after dark.

Jonathan Figueroa

Server was outstanding. Food was good

Claudia Gover

I know it's good when my kid eats all his food. I had a carne asada torta that was delish. My husband had tacos and a gordita an he cleaned his plate. The orchata was not too sweet, just refreshing.

Brian Doyle

Great little restaurant hidden treasure

Yiou Guo

Love love the soft tacos! Best tacos have had for a while.

Cheri Blessing

Love the Torta sandwhich and they have the best authentic tacos!!

Christina Sandoval

Delicious local food. Owners super friendly and work here.

Josh Ditto

Excellent asada tacos and their verse salsa is phenomenal

Kenny Spiess

Food always great..waitresses personable and hot..very good place.

Chad Cobb

Service was great and the food was very good.

Patrick Dewberry

Awsome food. Great service.

Andrea Latham

The food is very good, I persanlly love their burritos. The only thing is you need to be very specific with ordering and without confusion otherwise it is likely your order will be mistaken. But it is one of my favorite Mexican restaurant.

Alyssa Krestan

The two stars are only for the servers, who were prompt and amicable. But the food? The moment we got our chips and salsa I was reminded of my mom's mexican meal night, except mom's store bought chips and salsa were higher quality than those of this restaurant, which leads me to believe that all the ingredients that were used to prepare the meals at this restaurant were bought from a local grocer such as Walmart. That same quality persisted throughout the meal.

Christina Woolard

It is a great little hometown place to eat. Friendly staff and great food.

Mitchell Baugher

Mom and pop type place. Good service. I had the burrito Supreme. Very tasty. I'll go back.

Andrew Valentine

Amazing food and the people are very nice. If you want some real Mexican food for a good price, go here. They also deliver his door dash

David Thayer

Excellent food booths are small though

antonio cruz

Small diner with delicious food

Jeff Tamblyn

Among little Mexican joints, this is authentic and delicious. Very friendly service. Try the beef tongue tacos!

Kari Engleman

Delicious. Chips and salsa, amazing. Tacos, perfection. Building could use some work, but you'll overlook it when you eat the food and feel the atmosphere.

Cinthya Ruiz

Really nice and cozy environment, great food and excellent service

Mashea Voyles

Good food. Polite workers.

dsa danielle

I absolutely fell in love in with their mouth watering chicken enchiladas n carne asada tacos, beans n rice. Best service you could ever ask for!!

Julie Banks

Fresh authentic and great prices!

Marion St. John

Went here for lunch, food was good,fast service.

Morgan Kacie

The food used to be great but they are changing the menu to American food,we ate last week as per my friends request who loved it growing up but though the atmosphere was laid back and really cool ; the tables that have old money or photos ,even a copy of constitution are great conversation starters.... the food was horrible and there’s nothing less than 11 bucks ,give or take ,except kids menu . The awesome dip we all love at Mexican restaurants—-NO WAY ! Do not order the cheese dip ( that part was the worst, it was disgusting . Processed cheese maybe with Glaze on it which was so disappointing) but the food was just bad ! Not because of the cook it is the quality of food for the Mexican dishes. I will go back for the American food soon, the waitress was eating a delicious looking burger! I hate this because my friend grew up eating here , but looks like management made the right decision to change to American food because who ever decided to cut costs and order really cheap food from whichever company that also possibly may serve our jail system... idk... but somewhere in last five years someone took a good name , that had good memories , and completely messed up the menu! Do try it when they change menus if you too used to go as a kid!!!! The waitress was cool but ... I’ll leave it alone!

Matthew Ducoulombier

Had a carnitas burrito,it was excellent not too big not too small to me the beans make the dish if the beans are good the meal is good, there beans are pretty good, I would definatly go back.

Judith Holden

Great street taco

Jenna Greene

A little outdated, but the food was very good!

M Brown

Best Taco's de tripa in KANSAS CITY!

Griffin Bastian

Haven't tried the food yet, but I placed an order over the phone for one breakfast burrito. Was told it would be 10 minutes. Showed up in ten minutes and so far I've been waiting here for 45 minutes. The place is slowly clearing out and still haven't received my breakfast burrito. Wait staff seems understaffed and the carry out service could be vastly improved. Hopefully the food will make up for this, if I ever receive it. Update: It appears that they forgot / lost my order. They were nice and apologetic about it. Update #2: it appears that they forgot it again? Waiting an additional 20 minutes. Very hard for me to ever justify coming back here. Update #3: they refunded me my money and the burrito is delicious. Will order 30+ minutes in advance next time.

Montserrat Jimenez

Hands down, best chips and salsa I've ever, EVER had. Also, the best gyro and I've had gyros from quite different places. I love the aunthenticity of all the foods. Not one entree disappoints. It's the real deal. Highly, highly recommend

Vale H

Good food service is great

Mike Brodbeck

Everything is authentic and always have good service. I love their steak tacos and barbacoa tacos. (They're street style tacos) Pricing in good, but their beer is 3.2%, be aware of that.

Barbara Ray

Amazing food & great service.

Edward Evans

Love this place. Everyday is Taco Tuesday

Clint Fischer

Surprisingly good cheeseburgers.

Tim Roebuck

Good food, decent price's

Robo buddy

Probably the best Mexican restaurant I've been to in a long time. The food is really authentic and the queso was amazing!

Blake H.

Great tacos for great prices.

Kenneth Duncan

This place is the "GO TO" for authentic Mexican/American food. The fajitas are, hands down, the best I've ever eaten, anywhere!

Marques Browne

Always a great experience...my favorite tacos de tripa - best in town

andy vanderwerf

It's ok

Kim Carrington

I use to love this place and go several times a month but it's gone down hill. It took 45 min to get a simple order when it wasn't unusually busy. People who came in after us were getting their food before us so I guess they forgot our order?! The meat is skimpy unless you order tacos. The teenage waitress moved slow and didn't seem to care. I miss the old owners!

Rachinda Anfinson

Menudo is really good however it takes a while to carry out. Its also a little weird that staff eat while on job. Both days iv been there we were waiting forever for our food and our waitress never came checked on us instead taking her food to a table eating her own meal while we habe been waiting fpr almost an hour.

Chuck Winegar

Great food. Great service. Great price

Mr B

The English is not to good, but the food was great.

Thomas Grey

The steak tacos are great, I haven't felt the need to try anything else... -yet!

Amanda Casiano

Great food, great service!!

jeff parkhurst

Small establishment. Good service, and very tasty food. Very good mexican food.

its sam

There food is amazing I love it

Nathan Pyles

In town from Texas visiting family that moved here from Southern California, every one was pleased with the food, the Asada tacos were awesome.

Josie Pennington

Doesn't look like much from the outside but staff are friendly, and the food is delicious! The carnitas tacos are my favorite. Ordering ahead for takeout is also super easy. Would definitely recommend!

Juan Gonzalez

Excellent food and staff is friendly.

justin hook

Authentic taco hole in the wall joint.

Matthew Perkins

There food is better than restaurants that charge 5 times as much.

Joe Hawking

Great tacos

Simon Dragen

The salsa at this restaurant literally tastes like ketchup salt and 90% water. Chips and salsa are usually my best gauge of a Mexican restaurants and that is where the experience eating here started off in the worst way possible. I'm talking literally the salsa is so watery you cannot even hold a substantial amount on the chip to taste it. And the salsa is served in guess what... A squirt bottle. We asked for Lemons with our water and they never came after asking multiple times, my friends drink tasted like it was rotten which I don't understand how soda can be that way. There are so many awesome Mexican restaurants in Kansas City I would highly recommend any place but this.. and honestly I don't think that it is one of those situations where the servers were having a bad day or the chefs particularly messed up that day it is literally just a disgraceful version of Mexican food, not worthy of even mentioning except to warn others to avoid like the plague.

Roman Michael

Decent tacos, good price, but very slow service.

CEO OF RACISM ______

Love this place every food good an especially the torta

Elijah Barber

My local taco joint. Great service, great food. Highly recommend.

Nick Schlossmacher

No frills, just great service and excellent food.

Chad Weisshaar

Great food and prices.

Jose Flores

Great Mexican food!

Alex Hood

This place has fantastic food for very reasonable prices.

David

Carnitas tacos

Superintendent Gunter

All of our food was great. I got the chicken burrito and the other two people I was with got the tacos. We will definitely go back. My only "Con" is that service is a little slow, but their food is worth the wait.

Ross Johnson

Pastor and Asada tacos are awesome. Will try more next time!

Jake Wells

Great food, great prices, great staff.

Pelon Paez

Food is always good

Joshua Slape

Avoid

Justin Hall

New owners, last time we went we were treated horribly. Sad, used to be great. Never go back!!!

Scott Hudson

This, is the taco place. Very inexpensive and good variety of tacos, street style.

terrie morris

My very fave ! Always fresh and price is right !

Ryan Zumalt

Authentic tacos, supremely dank

David Sadler

The steak tacos were awesome. Reasonable pricing.

Gabrielle Trevino

Great food!!

Jennifer Craft

Very good tacos.

Benjamin A. Cuellar

Great authentic tacos

David Camacho

Love the food and and the service

NORMA AWRY

Food was cold but the salsa was good. I won't go back.

Ben Marx

Food is mediocre. Server, not even busy, never brought what I ordered and still charged me for it. She charged me full price for discounted Taco Tuesday drinks. Blah.