Reviews of El Barrio Restaurante Y Bar (Restaurant)

Krystian May

Service is super nice and attentive to my very needy customer tendencies. The salsa kept flowing and the chips were hot. And the margs were not too sweet! What more do you need?

Wes Christie

Best Mexican in Bham!

Jeff Biestek

Huge portions make the wait worth it. I really enjoy the queso and spicy margarita.

Cindy Collier

Very nice restaurant and the food is excellent!

Jay Houston

Had brunch here and the food and drinks were the best. If you do Saturday brunch get there early cause there will be a wait.

Alexia Gyorody

This place was awesome! The excellent service started with a friendly, helpful phone chat with Mike in the afternoon yesterday. We walked in at 9:55 and were still welcomed by chipper staff, despite them closing at 10! We had to put the baby to bed first and Mike said we would absolutely be sat until 9:59 - he wasn’t lying! Bobby & Allison took superb care of us at the bar. Then my dish came out allegedly sub-par (according to the kitchen), I thought it was perfect, but they made me a whole new entree which we were able to take home! Thank you to everyone who made our dinner a wonderful experience. And to the owner(s), investor(s) and management: as Birmingham expands please open more places with this standard of food & service. Thank you!

Keith Jackson

Although they're not free, the chips and salsa are very good. The margs are also pretty good. The food in general is solid for Birmingham. They have all the usual boring Mexican options, and they also have some more creative dishes (which I would recommend). The location is great, with plenty of bars and other restaurants nearby. The parking lot across the street kind of sucks, but there is plenty of room there. Would go again.

Tamika Perkins

After numerous recommendations over the years we were finally able to try El Barrio and oh man it was well worth the wait. The bartender greeted us quickly. We ordered a strawberry margarita and it was light, delicious, and so fresh. We decided on the queso and added the chorizo. Honestly the best queso we've had. And the chips were just as good. I got the steak tacos and he got the barbaco quesadilla. The tacos were so good. The steak was so flavorful, tortillas were fresh, and the cabbage was a great added crunch. The quesadilla was so big, crispy, and full of flavor. In my opinion El Barrio is the best bang for your buck.

Brn Rnb

Racist, they make money out of Mexican culture, yet if you look Mexican or have accent they get upset and act rude towards you.

Robert Johnson

My new favorite. Takes a simple meal and turns it into a phenomenal tasting experience. A must do while in Birmingham.

Remy Helu

Good food and service I like more authentic

Summer Austin Wells

My absolute favorite brunch/lunch spot in the Birmingham area! The food is always flavorful, fresh, and delicious. Try the Chipotle Glazed Ribs on Friday evenings--the best ribs, greens, beans, and slaw in town!

Abby Goolsby

BEST MEXICAN EVER. Also, Margs are 100%

TAM RUSSELL

Great service, good food, nice atmosphere.

Chase Nelson

Food has very interesting twist and service was good. A little too loud and few menu options, but overall I’ll visit again in the future

cocoa Young

HUBBY took ME FOR SUM GREAT DRINKS AND MEATLOAF AND GUACAMOLE

John Nix

Not like a Mexican food chain very artsy food and atmosphere.

April Sibley

Always fresh, fast service, and friendly staff!

Kristy Fisher

My husband and I both ate the Beef Barbacoa. I have never had anything so delicious in my life! The restaurant was clean. The wait staff were friendly and knew exactly what they were talking about when describing the menu items. Do not miss out on an opportunity to eat here!

Mike Waites

Great place. Be ready to share! Large portions. Drinks... Hemingway but make sure it’s with Campesino

Claire Jackson

Best place ever. Gulf shrimp quesadillas are great as well as the delicious salad and sauce that comes with it. This is definitely a favorite!

Yashica Young

Great food and great service

Jacob Bundren

When people say get there before they open, they mean it. We laughed them off but went in for an early dinner at 5:05pm. They open at 5:00 and we got the last free table. It was packed! We found out why after tasting the food; it was incredible! We started with the tequila queso. You could taste tequila and goat cheese which gave it a very unique flavor. Next, we got potato taquitos which were not at all what I was expecting in the best way possible! They were stuffed with mashed potatoes. It was like grandma’s old cooking meets south of the border. We shared the chicken enchiladas and got the verde and chili sauces and couldn’t believe how fresh they tasted! We were so impressed! They were also massive, so keep that in mind. We were stuffed after sharing our entree and starters. Regretfully, we didn’t leave room for dessert. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The other patrons were enjoyable. Overall, it was a fantastic meal.

Bham Local Guide

The food isn’t bad but you do have to pay for the chips which I believe should be free like every other Mexican restaurant. I will say call the restaurant before you go. Google maps said they were open on a particular non-holiday Friday in July. After driving 45 minutes to eat here for lunch, I was informed that they were closed for the holiday (yet it wasn’t a holiday). The guy who came to the door to tell all of us who were waiting that they weren’t opening until 5 was nice, but from a management perspective it needs some work.

Charity Moore

Service was AMAZING! My cup never went empty, our server and another were offering us items before we needed them. I have a rambunctious 2yr old and a spinal tumor. I couldn't chase after him and the hostess played with him and made him feel like a person instead of a burden or like it was troublesome for him to act his age. We were offered suggestions based on meal preference and even alcohol suggestions were offered based on what we ordered. The parking was a little difficulty and you can't see the sign from the street so, I had to drive the block twice to find it but all in all: EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE, EXCELLENT SERVERS, AWESOME EXPERIENCE, DELICIOUS FOOD! Will DEFINITELY be back!

Daniel Casey

Awesome salmon dish on the menu now. Broiled perfectly over a tangy rice with watercress & Pico. Be prepared for a wait on the weekends...

Jason Williams

This place is always legit, great service, delicious food and cool atmosphere. Every menu item I've tried has been good, hard to pick a winner. Get here before 11:30 on weekdays to beat the lunch rush.

Jeremy Hatley

Great margs. Great cheese dip. Great guacamole. Great atmosphere. That gets you 5 stars! Definitely a cool date spot or dinner spot with friends.

David Nelson

Always consistent taste, high quality food whether at dinner or lunchtime. Full bar with a good selection of wine and beer. Beer list also includes local quality beverages. Prices for food and drink reasonable for the area. If going for dinner, plan in getting there early or plan to wait. Spent about $110 for a party of four with tip on a Thursday evening.

Mike Vlahos

Was in Birmingham for work for a few days multiple other bars and restaurants recommended El Barrio and they were right. The food was great the drinks were very good to. Only thing that was off was the waitress seemed a bit disinterested in our table. The service was still good she just seemed like she did not want to be there that day.

Jason Frederick

Best Mexican food around. Excellent margaritas too! I recommend the Pozole (can be a bit spicy), the enchiladas and the carne asada. Fun atmosphere.

Merrett Willett

Good food. Fresh salsa. ~$15 for lunch.

Mia Duffy

The food and service here is amazing! My favorite dish is the veggie quesadilla. Everything they serve is so fresh and delicious. If I could give them 6 stars I would!!

Lenny Ferguson

Crowded with a wait, but for good reason. Spectacular meals and service! I'd give them more stars, if possible.

Ben Whorton

Food and service were excellent. Had about a 45 minute wait when we got there, but it was worth it. Our party had the shrimp quesadilla, spicy chicken enchiladas, and the grilled chorizo meatloaf. The ceviche and guac appetizers were on point. Highly recommend for an alternative to the usual tex-mex.

Ashton Rowcliffe

I had a romaine salad with steak and many additional toppings. It was simply delicious, obviously made with care and very fresh (tasty) ingredients. It made me happy eating it.Great service, coffee was really good too! I will go back as there were many other things I wanted to try. Support local restaurants that do not use the old sysco truck for their supplies. A little expensive for Mexican food, but the food was amazing! One of my favorite places to eat in Bham!

Melanie Alexander

This is a very nice place in downtown Birmingham. I have only come here for dinner, but I have heard that they offer brunch on Saturdays. As far as their dinner menu goes, they have a lot of options. On my last visit I asked them to combine the veggie and shrimp quesadilla together and it was so so good. It was probably the best quesadilla I have ever had. Of course they also have a fully stocked bar. Enjoy!

Kurt Smith

Best breakfast brunch I've ever had! This place by is amazing

Anand Iyer

What a find! Don't even bother trying to get in on a Friday or Saturday night (they don't take reservations). But if you are able to get in, you're in for a treat! Delicious and creative combinations and awesome drinks!

Keeshia Layfield

The seasonal guacamole was amazing. It had apples, candied bacon, and pickled jalapeno. It sounds weird, but the crisp apples added a nice touch and the candied bacon added the perfect hints of sweetness.

Alex Grady

Ok, so...... How is it that not only did we get amazing Mexican food, but they also make some of the best cornbread I have had in a restaurant?!?!?! This place has it all and you won't regret whatever you order!!!

Mary Newcomb

This is my favorite place to eat while in Birmingham. Staff are friendly and the food is outstanding. The chef will fix any dish per your diet requirements. He comes out to speak with you personally to make sure he understands what you need.

Krystian May

Service is super nice and attentive to my very needy customer tendencies. The salsa kept flowing and the chips were hot. And the margs were not too sweet! What more do you need?

Wes Christie

Best Mexican in Bham!

Cindy Collier

Very nice restaurant and the food is excellent!

Alexia Gyorody

This place was awesome! The excellent service started with a friendly, helpful phone chat with Mike in the afternoon yesterday. We walked in at 9:55 and were still welcomed by chipper staff, despite them closing at 10! We had to put the baby to bed first and Mike said we would absolutely be sat until 9:59 - he wasn’t lying! Bobby & Allison took superb care of us at the bar. Then my dish came out allegedly sub-par (according to the kitchen), I thought it was perfect, but they made me a whole new entree which we were able to take home! Thank you to everyone who made our dinner a wonderful experience. And to the owner(s), investor(s) and management: as Birmingham expands please open more places with this standard of food & service. Thank you!

Keith Jackson

Although they're not free, the chips and salsa are very good. The margs are also pretty good. The food in general is solid for Birmingham. They have all the usual boring Mexican options, and they also have some more creative dishes (which I would recommend). The location is great, with plenty of bars and other restaurants nearby. The parking lot across the street kind of sucks, but there is plenty of room there. Would go again.

Tamika Perkins

After numerous recommendations over the years we were finally able to try El Barrio and oh man it was well worth the wait. The bartender greeted us quickly. We ordered a strawberry margarita and it was light, delicious, and so fresh. We decided on the queso and added the chorizo. Honestly the best queso we've had. And the chips were just as good. I got the steak tacos and he got the barbaco quesadilla. The tacos were so good. The steak was so flavorful, tortillas were fresh, and the cabbage was a great added crunch. The quesadilla was so big, crispy, and full of flavor. In my opinion El Barrio is the best bang for your buck.

Brn Rnb

Racist, they make money out of Mexican culture, yet if you look Mexican or have accent they get upset and act rude towards you.

Remy Helu

Good food and service I like more authentic

Summer Austin Wells

My absolute favorite brunch/lunch spot in the Birmingham area! The food is always flavorful, fresh, and delicious. Try the Chipotle Glazed Ribs on Friday evenings--the best ribs, greens, beans, and slaw in town!

Abby Goolsby

BEST MEXICAN EVER. Also, Margs are 100%

TAM RUSSELL

Great service, good food, nice atmosphere.

Chase Nelson

Food has very interesting twist and service was good. A little too loud and few menu options, but overall I’ll visit again in the future

cocoa Young

HUBBY took ME FOR SUM GREAT DRINKS AND MEATLOAF AND GUACAMOLE

John Nix

Not like a Mexican food chain very artsy food and atmosphere.

April Sibley

Always fresh, fast service, and friendly staff!

Kristy Fisher

My husband and I both ate the Beef Barbacoa. I have never had anything so delicious in my life! The restaurant was clean. The wait staff were friendly and knew exactly what they were talking about when describing the menu items. Do not miss out on an opportunity to eat here!

Mike Waites

Great place. Be ready to share! Large portions. Drinks... Hemingway but make sure it’s with Campesino

Claire Jackson

Best place ever. Gulf shrimp quesadillas are great as well as the delicious salad and sauce that comes with it. This is definitely a favorite!

Yashica Young

Great food and great service

Jacob Bundren

When people say get there before they open, they mean it. We laughed them off but went in for an early dinner at 5:05pm. They open at 5:00 and we got the last free table. It was packed! We found out why after tasting the food; it was incredible! We started with the tequila queso. You could taste tequila and goat cheese which gave it a very unique flavor. Next, we got potato taquitos which were not at all what I was expecting in the best way possible! They were stuffed with mashed potatoes. It was like grandma’s old cooking meets south of the border. We shared the chicken enchiladas and got the verde and chili sauces and couldn’t believe how fresh they tasted! We were so impressed! They were also massive, so keep that in mind. We were stuffed after sharing our entree and starters. Regretfully, we didn’t leave room for dessert. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The other patrons were enjoyable. Overall, it was a fantastic meal.

Bham Local Guide

The food isn’t bad but you do have to pay for the chips which I believe should be free like every other Mexican restaurant. I will say call the restaurant before you go. Google maps said they were open on a particular non-holiday Friday in July. After driving 45 minutes to eat here for lunch, I was informed that they were closed for the holiday (yet it wasn’t a holiday). The guy who came to the door to tell all of us who were waiting that they weren’t opening until 5 was nice, but from a management perspective it needs some work.

Charity Moore

Service was AMAZING! My cup never went empty, our server and another were offering us items before we needed them. I have a rambunctious 2yr old and a spinal tumor. I couldn't chase after him and the hostess played with him and made him feel like a person instead of a burden or like it was troublesome for him to act his age. We were offered suggestions based on meal preference and even alcohol suggestions were offered based on what we ordered. The parking was a little difficulty and you can't see the sign from the street so, I had to drive the block twice to find it but all in all: EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE, EXCELLENT SERVERS, AWESOME EXPERIENCE, DELICIOUS FOOD! Will DEFINITELY be back!

Daniel Casey

Awesome salmon dish on the menu now. Broiled perfectly over a tangy rice with watercress & Pico. Be prepared for a wait on the weekends...

Jason Williams

This place is always legit, great service, delicious food and cool atmosphere. Every menu item I've tried has been good, hard to pick a winner. Get here before 11:30 on weekdays to beat the lunch rush.

Jeremy Hatley

Great margs. Great cheese dip. Great guacamole. Great atmosphere. That gets you 5 stars! Definitely a cool date spot or dinner spot with friends.

David Nelson

Always consistent taste, high quality food whether at dinner or lunchtime. Full bar with a good selection of wine and beer. Beer list also includes local quality beverages. Prices for food and drink reasonable for the area. If going for dinner, plan in getting there early or plan to wait. Spent about $110 for a party of four with tip on a Thursday evening.

Mike Vlahos

Was in Birmingham for work for a few days multiple other bars and restaurants recommended El Barrio and they were right. The food was great the drinks were very good to. Only thing that was off was the waitress seemed a bit disinterested in our table. The service was still good she just seemed like she did not want to be there that day.

Jason Frederick

Best Mexican food around. Excellent margaritas too! I recommend the Pozole (can be a bit spicy), the enchiladas and the carne asada. Fun atmosphere.

Keith Westrich

Great food and atmosphere

Merrett Willett

Good food. Fresh salsa. ~$15 for lunch.

Mia Duffy

The food and service here is amazing! My favorite dish is the veggie quesadilla. Everything they serve is so fresh and delicious. If I could give them 6 stars I would!!

Ben Whorton

Food and service were excellent. Had about a 45 minute wait when we got there, but it was worth it. Our party had the shrimp quesadilla, spicy chicken enchiladas, and the grilled chorizo meatloaf. The ceviche and guac appetizers were on point. Highly recommend for an alternative to the usual tex-mex.

Ashton Rowcliffe

I had a romaine salad with steak and many additional toppings. It was simply delicious, obviously made with care and very fresh (tasty) ingredients. It made me happy eating it.Great service, coffee was really good too! I will go back as there were many other things I wanted to try. Support local restaurants that do not use the old sysco truck for their supplies. A little expensive for Mexican food, but the food was amazing! One of my favorite places to eat in Bham!

Melanie Alexander

This is a very nice place in downtown Birmingham. I have only come here for dinner, but I have heard that they offer brunch on Saturdays. As far as their dinner menu goes, they have a lot of options. On my last visit I asked them to combine the veggie and shrimp quesadilla together and it was so so good. It was probably the best quesadilla I have ever had. Of course they also have a fully stocked bar. Enjoy!

Anand Iyer

What a find! Don't even bother trying to get in on a Friday or Saturday night (they don't take reservations). But if you are able to get in, you're in for a treat! Delicious and creative combinations and awesome drinks!

Alex Grady

Ok, so...... How is it that not only did we get amazing Mexican food, but they also make some of the best cornbread I have had in a restaurant?!?!?! This place has it all and you won't regret whatever you order!!!

Mary Newcomb

This is my favorite place to eat while in Birmingham. Staff are friendly and the food is outstanding. The chef will fix any dish per your diet requirements. He comes out to speak with you personally to make sure he understands what you need.

Michael Garrett

Great place. Have been there with work groups, they easily handle a group of 10-12. The service was great and the food was very good. Not exactly "Americanized" but enough of an Anglo influence that it didn't seem to unusual. The prices seem reasonable for what you get, the bar might be a bit small but it has a great selection and the bartenders are good. And it's very convenient if you work in downtown Bham.

john hillhouse

Imaginative food with a great flavor!

Ron Boisclair

Terrific downtown eatery on 2nd Ave North. Gulf fish (snapper) with green (pesto?) rice, snow peas, and fried plantains and was very fresh and flavorful. Chicken enchiladas were a big hit with my wife. Hard to find a better salsa for hot fresh chips provided ($2.50 for unlimited refills) Great service.

Sebastian Buisson

Fantastic example of delicious cuisine. I stopped in here because I was traveling and was so happy I did.

Mark McCay

Good food, good prices and awesome service.

Instructor Forté

I loved their chips and salsa. Excellent service with a large party.

Yvonne Atchison

The food is awesome, Hispanic with a twist. People are really friendly. Service is fast.

Leslie Borden

This is a place I would recommend highly. Bobby & Mike are behind the bar & they make the best drinks & give the best service you could ask for. The food is always fresh & delicious. If you haven't been here you are absolutely missing out!

Danielle Brown

Never a bad meal. The meatloaf dinner was fantastic. Plenty of food.

Patty Bryan

Very nice waitress great food

Brad Jones

One of my favorite places to go while in the downtown area. My favorites are the elote asado, plantain nachos, and some of the best margaritas!

D'Aquarian Goddess

Prejudice. Lacks authentic culture... Inconsistent flavors

Fernanda Félix Schwarzbeck

Delicious!! decor and ambience are cool... very good service. Definitely would go back!

Adi Raviv

Good food, thirst-quenching drinks and great service

Ginger Roether

Amazing food - this place is not to be missed!

Larry Falkner

Over priced for the amount of food being served, staff was bothered when i ask for condiments to go with our meal. We had a group of 5. Had to wait to long for our food.appx 45 min.

Doug Youngwith

Tuesday night Margaritas special. Food is always great. A cut above other Mexican restaurants.

Rebecca Graber

One of the best restaurants in Birmingham. The veggie quesidilla is incredible. Expect a wait time but know that it's worth it

Aaron Gray

Very good tacos al pastor. The pollo adobado was interesting, but not as good as the pastor. The tacos are not the most authentic out of the box, but with a few choice tweaks, they are really nice. The type of pork is a marinated pot roast. It has pineapple, and it is sweet and savory. The meat has a strong level of seasoning, but it is not spicy. You have to ask for the salsa. You also have to ask for the onion and cilantro. The biggest thing they could do to be better would be to make their own corn tortillas. The ones they have have are not very good. If you can look past these quirks, overall they are very good.

Brad Lee

Sunny and hot outside, but dark and cool inside. The food was delicious! Interesting decor. Didn't get to sample the margaritas as I was driving. Next time...

Mike Slay

BBQ beef is not Mexican sorry.

Landon Whatley

Their guacamole is wonderful. My favorite is their house margarita. It is very fresh and crisp. The food is a reasonable price and yummy. Queso fundido is more like normal queso. It’s good, but not my favorite. But you must give this place a try. Their brunch is very good, and is a fun way to start the weekend!

Amanda Dykes

The food is always amazing and it's such a fun atmosphere.

Alicia Talley

Man what can I say.... this place is Awesome! Everything on the menu is worth or your taste buds.

Elizabeth Roberts

The food and service was awesome! Great vibes! The food was delicious. It's kind of like a Mexican fusion restaurant. I had the shrimp quesadillas and a side salad. Those quesadillas were stuffed with so much shrimp. I could only eat half of my quesadillas. But all in all. Great food and great atmosphere. Definitely will come back.

Briana V

We were seated immediately, the service was great, and our brunch was absolutely delicious! Definitely recommend!

Keliy Bearden

This place really hits the spot. A casual and comfortable atmosphere, quick, friendly, and polite service by staff. The Potato Tacquitas were interesting and crunchy, however, the Shrimp Ceviche and the Pineapple Salsa stole the show! Probably the best that I've ever had. I wish I visited Birmingham more frequently, this is definitely on my must-visit list!

Liz Shepherd

Great drinks and service. Everything on the menu looked so good it was tough to decide!

Rokeia Westbrook

I was not impressed...I was looking forward to going to this place after all the hoop and talks. I ordered the shrimp quesadillas and my husband had the meatloaf meal. Neither of us was satisfied with our choices. Not to mention the almost two hour wait!! But the queso was good as well as the atmosphere.

Steve Lmay

great service, drinks and food

Chrystal Freeman

Seriously delicious food. There tends to be a wait but it has been worth it everytime. Consistent quality with filling portions, usually enough to take home for later. The margaritas, guacamole and desserts are all delicious. I haven't gotten anything I haven't enjoyed. This place is a treat.

Brandon Goody

Top 3 Birmingham restaurant. If you have friends/family coming in from out of town, make an effort to come here for brunch or dinner.

Greg Melish

A more hip take on mexican food with unique twists. The environment is exciting and upbeat. Good selection of beer also. Definitely recommend.

Carlos Adley

It was our first time and a great first impression. The service and food was great!

Monica Steele

Great food, great service, just be aware that it stays busy so be patient. It is definitely worth the wait.

Kaitlin Slattery

I've been here many times, and thankfully they are consistently good in both food and service (something hard to achieve)! Honestly my favorite thing offered here is the salsa which sounds ridiculous, but seriously if you can't get the basics right- I don't trust you on the more expensive menu items. The gulf shrimp tacos were also good. I would prefer a smothering of some cilantro and lime on them to help brighten it, but that might just be me:) Thank you for a great lunch experience on Friday.

JORGE ESPARRA

Good service and excellent food

Anna Marie

It's Mexican food with a twist and a little more modern style and taste. If you like to try little unique spots this is a must.

Jeremy Dunn

The food and service are great. It has a really cool vibe. My only complaint was when sitting in a booth, the chairs used were little fake stumps (again, vibe) that had no cushion or backs. It wasn’t a huge deal, but if you have back issues, sit on the bench side. It was also a tad expensive. But worth it overall.

Stuart Fletcher

Outstanding! Love it all. Go early to get better seating because it often fills up fast.

Lana Smith

Delicious cheese dip, good dinner choices, and great ambiance make this a perfect choice for a night out!

Hannah Mae Cowart

Even though the place was crowded when we walked in, we were able to be seated within a few minutes and then have our food a few minutes after that! The food was so good and the guacamole was just as great as all of the other reviews had indicated.

Chris Golden

Next up entrees, my boss ordered the Chorizo meatloaf, he said it was his favorite meal so far in Birmingham! I ordered the Steak, it was cooked perfectly. The potato's were so different but so good. A unique take on food for sure.We also ordered the Barrio cornbread, looked very fancy, tasted very good but we were so full we couldn't finish it.

Zibido Avery

Very tasty food, but prices are a smidge high. Understandable, I'd assume rent is higher downtown.

Michael Garrett

Great place. Have been there with work groups, they easily handle a group of 10-12. The service was great and the food was very good. Not exactly "Americanized" but enough of an Anglo influence that it didn't seem to unusual. The prices seem reasonable for what you get, the bar might be a bit small but it has a great selection and the bartenders are good. And it's very convenient if you work in downtown Bham.

Ron Boisclair

Terrific downtown eatery on 2nd Ave North. Gulf fish (snapper) with green (pesto?) rice, snow peas, and fried plantains and was very fresh and flavorful. Chicken enchiladas were a big hit with my wife. Hard to find a better salsa for hot fresh chips provided ($2.50 for unlimited refills) Great service.

Sebastian Buisson

Fantastic example of delicious cuisine. I stopped in here because I was traveling and was so happy I did.

Mark McCay

Good food, good prices and awesome service.

Instructor Forté

I loved their chips and salsa. Excellent service with a large party.

Yvonne Atchison

The food is awesome, Hispanic with a twist. People are really friendly. Service is fast.

Leslie Borden

This is a place I would recommend highly. Bobby & Mike are behind the bar & they make the best drinks & give the best service you could ask for. The food is always fresh & delicious. If you haven't been here you are absolutely missing out!

Danielle Brown

Never a bad meal. The meatloaf dinner was fantastic. Plenty of food.

Patty Bryan

Very nice waitress great food

Brad Jones

One of my favorite places to go while in the downtown area. My favorites are the elote asado, plantain nachos, and some of the best margaritas!

D'Aquarian Goddess

Prejudice. Lacks authentic culture... Inconsistent flavors

Ginger Roether

Amazing food - this place is not to be missed!

Larry Falkner

Over priced for the amount of food being served, staff was bothered when i ask for condiments to go with our meal. We had a group of 5. Had to wait to long for our food.appx 45 min.

Doug Youngwith

Tuesday night Margaritas special. Food is always great. A cut above other Mexican restaurants.

Rebecca Graber

One of the best restaurants in Birmingham. The veggie quesidilla is incredible. Expect a wait time but know that it's worth it

Aaron Gray

Very good tacos al pastor. The pollo adobado was interesting, but not as good as the pastor. The tacos are not the most authentic out of the box, but with a few choice tweaks, they are really nice. The type of pork is a marinated pot roast. It has pineapple, and it is sweet and savory. The meat has a strong level of seasoning, but it is not spicy. You have to ask for the salsa. You also have to ask for the onion and cilantro. The biggest thing they could do to be better would be to make their own corn tortillas. The ones they have have are not very good. If you can look past these quirks, overall they are very good.

Brad Lee

Sunny and hot outside, but dark and cool inside. The food was delicious! Interesting decor. Didn't get to sample the margaritas as I was driving. Next time...

Mike Slay

BBQ beef is not Mexican sorry.

Landon Whatley

Their guacamole is wonderful. My favorite is their house margarita. It is very fresh and crisp. The food is a reasonable price and yummy. Queso fundido is more like normal queso. It’s good, but not my favorite. But you must give this place a try. Their brunch is very good, and is a fun way to start the weekend!

Amanda Dykes

The food is always amazing and it's such a fun atmosphere.

Alicia Talley

Man what can I say.... this place is Awesome! Everything on the menu is worth or your taste buds.

Elizabeth Roberts

The food and service was awesome! Great vibes! The food was delicious. It's kind of like a Mexican fusion restaurant. I had the shrimp quesadillas and a side salad. Those quesadillas were stuffed with so much shrimp. I could only eat half of my quesadillas. But all in all. Great food and great atmosphere. Definitely will come back.

Briana V

We were seated immediately, the service was great, and our brunch was absolutely delicious! Definitely recommend!

Keliy Bearden

This place really hits the spot. A casual and comfortable atmosphere, quick, friendly, and polite service by staff. The Potato Tacquitas were interesting and crunchy, however, the Shrimp Ceviche and the Pineapple Salsa stole the show! Probably the best that I've ever had. I wish I visited Birmingham more frequently, this is definitely on my must-visit list!

Liz Shepherd

Great drinks and service. Everything on the menu looked so good it was tough to decide!

Rokeia Westbrook

I was not impressed...I was looking forward to going to this place after all the hoop and talks. I ordered the shrimp quesadillas and my husband had the meatloaf meal. Neither of us was satisfied with our choices. Not to mention the almost two hour wait!! But the queso was good as well as the atmosphere.

Steve Lmay

great service, drinks and food

Chrystal Freeman

Seriously delicious food. There tends to be a wait but it has been worth it everytime. Consistent quality with filling portions, usually enough to take home for later. The margaritas, guacamole and desserts are all delicious. I haven't gotten anything I haven't enjoyed. This place is a treat.

Brandon Goody

Top 3 Birmingham restaurant. If you have friends/family coming in from out of town, make an effort to come here for brunch or dinner.

Greg Melish

A more hip take on mexican food with unique twists. The environment is exciting and upbeat. Good selection of beer also. Definitely recommend.

Carlos Adley

It was our first time and a great first impression. The service and food was great!

Monica Steele

Great food, great service, just be aware that it stays busy so be patient. It is definitely worth the wait.

Leslie Focsa

I really enjoy the food here. My personal favorites are the queso fundido and the bacon quesadilla. There is often a wait on Fridays and Saturdays, so plan ahead. Only down side is that it gets quite loud inside. Most of the decor is wood, which is very pretty but doesn't do much to muffle the noise of other diners. If you're seeking a place to have quiet, intimate conversation, this probably isn't the spot for you.

Kaitlin Slattery

I've been here many times, and thankfully they are consistently good in both food and service (something hard to achieve)! Honestly my favorite thing offered here is the salsa which sounds ridiculous, but seriously if you can't get the basics right- I don't trust you on the more expensive menu items. The gulf shrimp tacos were also good. I would prefer a smothering of some cilantro and lime on them to help brighten it, but that might just be me:) Thank you for a great lunch experience on Friday.

JORGE ESPARRA

Good service and excellent food

Anna Marie

It's Mexican food with a twist and a little more modern style and taste. If you like to try little unique spots this is a must.

Jeremy Dunn

The food and service are great. It has a really cool vibe. My only complaint was when sitting in a booth, the chairs used were little fake stumps (again, vibe) that had no cushion or backs. It wasn’t a huge deal, but if you have back issues, sit on the bench side. It was also a tad expensive. But worth it overall.

Hannah Mae Cowart

Even though the place was crowded when we walked in, we were able to be seated within a few minutes and then have our food a few minutes after that! The food was so good and the guacamole was just as great as all of the other reviews had indicated.

Chris Golden

Next up entrees, my boss ordered the Chorizo meatloaf, he said it was his favorite meal so far in Birmingham! I ordered the Steak, it was cooked perfectly. The potato's were so different but so good. A unique take on food for sure.We also ordered the Barrio cornbread, looked very fancy, tasted very good but we were so full we couldn't finish it.

Zibido Avery

Very tasty food, but prices are a smidge high. Understandable, I'd assume rent is higher downtown.

Angie Acklin

Horrible and the waitress wasn’t apologetic at all. She replied with, “Well I wouldn’t call it horrible.” And I wouldn’t call it queso. I said what I said, so we’ll just have to agree to disagree. I wasn’t charged for it, so that was the only plus.

Angela Talley

We started with an order of salsa and queso which were both really good! The salsa and chips were fresh! I had Chicken enchiladas and my husband had the beef quesadilla, both were excellent! It was good size portions, I could finish mine, so I had leftover to bring home. Our waitress, Alison, was very friendly and knowledgeable of the menu! Great food, excellent service and nice atmosphere!

Pat Bradford

I've visited El Barrio several times in it's inaugural seasons, and it was consistently good and BUSY. So I was very (pleasantly) surprised when I visited recently during a busy weekday lunch hour. It was still busy, but my group hardly noticed as we were seated quickly and our server was prompt, helpful and visited us several times during our meal. The food was good, good quality and accompanied by affordable lunch drink specials ($3 beers and affordable margaritas). I hadn't been here in a while, but after this visit, I'll be back sooner than I would've anticipated.

Vincent Coker

This is our favorite place to eat at in Birmingham and has been for 5 years. If you haven't tried this place, what are you waiting for? Literally everything on the menu is excellent and the staff are always friendly!

Nichole Olson

This restaurant serving Mexican food seems to be very popular. Although reservations aren't accepted, there are almost no waiting times even when the place is full. We chose tacos with beef and enchilada with shrimp, served with a fresh salad. The extra guacamole we ordered was excellent. The food is very yummy but prices are rather high. You even have to pay for chips and salsa. The service is very friendly and quick. They check on you very regularly, and refill your drink without you have to ask for it.

Blanche

It was wonderful. We had an issue with over-cooked ribs and they brought us another plate with no attitude or complaint. The bar manager even took time to tell what type of wine I was drinking.

Tim Yates

Ive always gotten great food there. Their quesadillas are fantastic. It's a really busy restaurant, but for good reason.

Tom Mclemore

Great food and atmosphere. Spicy chicken tostada was great!

Tiffany Sudbury

Tried this spot this morning. GREAT! If you are like me and love Mexican cuisines and tasty beverages, eat here. It's worth the time and the money.

Toby Joiner

Food is always good. If you go at lunch during the week, expect to wait.

Deborahkins

We had a fresh and delicious meal and amazing service from Juan! This place is a find and we will definitely come back next time we are in Birmingham. SO good!!

Kathleen Buccleugh

Excellent food and service for lunch, dinner and Saturday brunch. Favorites: the salsa!; the Pork Barbacoa Thursday night special; the biscuit with seasonal jam or apple butter at brunch; the Wednesday night special Cowboy Burrito; the Pepeto; the Pozole; the veggie quesadilla. My husband and I have been here wayyyyyyyyy too many times to count, and we keep going back because we've never had a bad experience with the food or service, the portion sizes are generous for the price, and the ingredients are high quality. I only wish they were open Sundays and Mondays.

Lee Winnige

Consistently good food and drinks. Very reasonably priced for the quality of food you get. It might be hard to get a seat here but it never takes long for the food to come out.

Matt Peppes

Food was great and the atmosphere was really cool. We were staying at a hotel not far from here and came across this place for lunch. The menu had some great options and we also thought they had a really good beer selection. Their food was really tasty and our server gave really good recommendations.

Jay Lamar

Wonderful place! We loved the scene. Great staff too.

mike steward

Food was fantastic and so is the service. Will be back for sure.

Jeremy Milwood

The ambiance is stellar here and the staff to match. The food is great and seriously fresh. I ordered the Salmon and plantains. The dish was decent but not the best I have had. That said, it was definitely good enough to come back later to try the rest of the menu. Great social gathering spot. On street parking is very limited. And parking in the lots is serious business. If you park make sure you pay or you will be towed. So many signs I saw in the lot and in this restaurant.

Dave O'Leary

Was unable to get in at dinner on previous trip, but had a fabulous lunch, great service. Not your standard taco joint.

Hayden Rathel

This is one of the best restaurants in downtown Birmingham! The drinks and food are amazing. However, under NO CIRCUMSTANCES park in the parking lot left of the front door of El Barrio. The lot is not owned by El Barrio and will tow your car even after paying for parking. But this is no reason not to go to El Barrio there is plenty of street parking.

Brian Wade

Great, authentic Mexican food. Local gem.

Haley Walker

This is my favorite place to go. I love being able to share this restaurant with all my friends and out of town guests. It's my go to when we take people out.

Matthew Sloan

Great food and portion size, nice clean environment. Fantastic service. Usually crowded and takes awhile for food to arrive.

William Clark

Great place to get drinks with coworkers! Amazing staff at the bar, they are super fast and friendly, Stephen, Bobby and Sarah G. all were very nice and helped our party at every turn! The food is amazing, including the cornbread and tons of veggie and vegans options for our party. 11/10 for El Barrio!

Jess Lewis

Delicious food at a reasonable price. The atmosphere is fantastic and service is great! I got the vegan tostada and it was delicious. Will definitely be going back!

Judah Sixsmith

This is hands down my favorite salad!! It's lettuce with mango, avocado, tomato, Thai noodles, peanuts and Thai dressing. This is a great vegetarian dish if you exclude the steak. The dishes are a bit pricey but overall Houston's is a great restaurant to eat at! This is a great place to go for special occasions or dates. Great parking and valet at this location. Pro tip: The sushi grade sashimi tuna salad comes with a slice of cheese toast but only if you ask. It's a legacy item but they still offer upon customer request.

Scott Stein

Great upscale Mexican food in downtown Birmingham with original dishes and drinks. Great atmosphere!

Jake Shackelford

Greta vegan and vegetarian options! I have never had anything on the menu that's not delicious. Home made hot sauce with seasonal peppers! Friendly staff and a great bar. Never disappoins!

Marcus Larkin

Great place to eat good price for the value Excellent staff! It was a really busy time when I went in but they were on point.

Mary Gann

Loved this place. Great atmosphere and the ppl that worked there were awesome..

Michael Vanhook

A nice departure from regular Mexican restaurants with fresh and unique menu items.

David Rosen

My meal was disappointing. The tostada was on a bed of soggy lettuce and the sauce was only so-so. Even the cornbread (cornbread in a Mexican restaurant?) was only barely passable.

Natsuki

Amazing food and Amazing experience. Server at the bar was great, kept our cups full and our food came out quick even on a busy night like tonight was. Would definitely recommend and will definitely be going back.

Dean Whalen

Great atmosphere!!! great service. Delicious food.I will be definitely coming back soon!

Geoff Graves

Good food, limited seating. Expect a wait.

Kay Boyer

Nice decor and delicious food!

Lisa Pate

Best restaurant in B’ham. Everything on the menu is delicious. My favorite is the Spicy chicken tostada.

Angie Acklin

Horrible and the waitress wasn’t apologetic at all. She replied with, “Well I wouldn’t call it horrible.” And I wouldn’t call it queso. I said what I said, so we’ll just have to agree to disagree. I wasn’t charged for it, so that was the only plus.

Angela Talley

We started with an order of salsa and queso which were both really good! The salsa and chips were fresh! I had Chicken enchiladas and my husband had the beef quesadilla, both were excellent! It was good size portions, I could finish mine, so I had leftover to bring home. Our waitress, Alison, was very friendly and knowledgeable of the menu! Great food, excellent service and nice atmosphere!

Pat Bradford

I've visited El Barrio several times in it's inaugural seasons, and it was consistently good and BUSY. So I was very (pleasantly) surprised when I visited recently during a busy weekday lunch hour. It was still busy, but my group hardly noticed as we were seated quickly and our server was prompt, helpful and visited us several times during our meal. The food was good, good quality and accompanied by affordable lunch drink specials ($3 beers and affordable margaritas). I hadn't been here in a while, but after this visit, I'll be back sooner than I would've anticipated.

Vincent Coker

This is our favorite place to eat at in Birmingham and has been for 5 years. If you haven't tried this place, what are you waiting for? Literally everything on the menu is excellent and the staff are always friendly!

Nichole Olson

This restaurant serving Mexican food seems to be very popular. Although reservations aren't accepted, there are almost no waiting times even when the place is full. We chose tacos with beef and enchilada with shrimp, served with a fresh salad. The extra guacamole we ordered was excellent. The food is very yummy but prices are rather high. You even have to pay for chips and salsa. The service is very friendly and quick. They check on you very regularly, and refill your drink without you have to ask for it.

Blanche

It was wonderful. We had an issue with over-cooked ribs and they brought us another plate with no attitude or complaint. The bar manager even took time to tell what type of wine I was drinking.

Tim Yates

Ive always gotten great food there. Their quesadillas are fantastic. It's a really busy restaurant, but for good reason.

Tom Mclemore

Great food and atmosphere. Spicy chicken tostada was great!

Tiffany Sudbury

Tried this spot this morning. GREAT! If you are like me and love Mexican cuisines and tasty beverages, eat here. It's worth the time and the money.

Toby Joiner

Food is always good. If you go at lunch during the week, expect to wait.

Deborahkins

We had a fresh and delicious meal and amazing service from Juan! This place is a find and we will definitely come back next time we are in Birmingham. SO good!!

Kathleen Buccleugh

Excellent food and service for lunch, dinner and Saturday brunch. Favorites: the salsa!; the Pork Barbacoa Thursday night special; the biscuit with seasonal jam or apple butter at brunch; the Wednesday night special Cowboy Burrito; the Pepeto; the Pozole; the veggie quesadilla. My husband and I have been here wayyyyyyyyy too many times to count, and we keep going back because we've never had a bad experience with the food or service, the portion sizes are generous for the price, and the ingredients are high quality. I only wish they were open Sundays and Mondays.

Matt Peppes

Food was great and the atmosphere was really cool. We were staying at a hotel not far from here and came across this place for lunch. The menu had some great options and we also thought they had a really good beer selection. Their food was really tasty and our server gave really good recommendations.

Jay Lamar

Wonderful place! We loved the scene. Great staff too.

mike steward

Food was fantastic and so is the service. Will be back for sure.

Jeremy Milwood

The ambiance is stellar here and the staff to match. The food is great and seriously fresh. I ordered the Salmon and plantains. The dish was decent but not the best I have had. That said, it was definitely good enough to come back later to try the rest of the menu. Great social gathering spot. On street parking is very limited. And parking in the lots is serious business. If you park make sure you pay or you will be towed. So many signs I saw in the lot and in this restaurant.

Dave O'Leary

Was unable to get in at dinner on previous trip, but had a fabulous lunch, great service. Not your standard taco joint.

Hayden Rathel

This is one of the best restaurants in downtown Birmingham! The drinks and food are amazing. However, under NO CIRCUMSTANCES park in the parking lot left of the front door of El Barrio. The lot is not owned by El Barrio and will tow your car even after paying for parking. But this is no reason not to go to El Barrio there is plenty of street parking.

Brian Wade

Great, authentic Mexican food. Local gem.

Haley Walker

This is my favorite place to go. I love being able to share this restaurant with all my friends and out of town guests. It's my go to when we take people out.

William Clark

Great place to get drinks with coworkers! Amazing staff at the bar, they are super fast and friendly, Stephen, Bobby and Sarah G. all were very nice and helped our party at every turn! The food is amazing, including the cornbread and tons of veggie and vegans options for our party. 11/10 for El Barrio!

Jess Lewis

Delicious food at a reasonable price. The atmosphere is fantastic and service is great! I got the vegan tostada and it was delicious. Will definitely be going back!

Judah Sixsmith

This is hands down my favorite salad!! It's lettuce with mango, avocado, tomato, Thai noodles, peanuts and Thai dressing. This is a great vegetarian dish if you exclude the steak. The dishes are a bit pricey but overall Houston's is a great restaurant to eat at! This is a great place to go for special occasions or dates. Great parking and valet at this location. Pro tip: The sushi grade sashimi tuna salad comes with a slice of cheese toast but only if you ask. It's a legacy item but they still offer upon customer request.

Scott Stein

Great upscale Mexican food in downtown Birmingham with original dishes and drinks. Great atmosphere!

Jake Shackelford

Greta vegan and vegetarian options! I have never had anything on the menu that's not delicious. Home made hot sauce with seasonal peppers! Friendly staff and a great bar. Never disappoins!

Marcus Larkin

Great place to eat good price for the value Excellent staff! It was a really busy time when I went in but they were on point.

Michael Vanhook

A nice departure from regular Mexican restaurants with fresh and unique menu items.

David Rosen

My meal was disappointing. The tostada was on a bed of soggy lettuce and the sauce was only so-so. Even the cornbread (cornbread in a Mexican restaurant?) was only barely passable.

Dylan Curry

Amazing food and Amazing experience. Server at the bar was great, kept our cups full and our food came out quick even on a busy night like tonight was. Would definitely recommend and will definitely be going back.

Dean Whalen

Great atmosphere!!! great service. Delicious food.I will be definitely coming back soon!

Geoff Graves

Good food, limited seating. Expect a wait.

Kay Boyer

Nice decor and delicious food!

Lisa Pate

Best restaurant in B’ham. Everything on the menu is delicious. My favorite is the Spicy chicken tostada.

Valerie Chavez

I ordered the Ceviche and it was not very good, server came over and replaced it with Carnitas.. they were amazing!! I was very pleased on how the server went above and beyond to make sure that I had a meal that was to my satisfaction we also had the guacamole dip which was top notch.

Tommy Woods

First time here. Long wait but definatley worth it. Our server was Ben and to say the service from him was impeccable, is an understatement. We are from Tuscaloosa and this was worth the drive and we WILL be back!!!

Zach White

Super impressed with this restaurant. Some of the most flavorful Mexican inspired dishes I've had. Chef really understands the balance between richness and acidity all while texture is given a fair treatment as well. Cool atmosphere and great service. looking forward to coming back next time we're in town.

Kerri Berrios

Great food and Kevin's service is amazing

Luke Walker

Great place amazing atmosphere. You can tell they really have a good handle on their meat and know how to use it. It's a two hand job and I was glad to digest it.

Justin Irvine

The best Mexican restaurant in Alabama! Amazing!

Scott Giddens

Imaginative creations of familiar dishes that never fail to satisfy. Always great service and bar. Shrimp quesadilla today that was over the top.

Charlie Harris

Great food, tremendous staff and many specials.

Garrett Scott

Third time we have ever been, and it's amazing! It's not just upscale Tex Mex. It is a 5 star Cantina, the play with food is somehow new, and yet familiar. The menu is always evolving so everytime you go back it is new experience. There is often a wait, FYI, and no matter how long it is, just stick it out. You will never regret it.

Ashton

Great choice for sit down Mexican food

Eli Rodriguez

The one thing that makes me give it 3 stars is the horrible layout of the place. It’s obviously thriving, invest in a larger place or a secondary location; everything is so clumped together that we had to literally move tables out of the way just to get in and out of our seats. We could pretty much hear what our neighbors were talking about. They do not take reservations so be ready to wait anywhere from 20 to 50 min for a table if showing up for dinner. The food itself is good, definitely worth four stars from my perspective, and although it’s not authentic Mexican food, they never claim to be an authentic Mexican food place. I personally like their take on Mexican dishes with their own twist. We had the chicken enchiladas, the goat cheese dip, tacos al pastor(I’m still processing why I was served deconstructed tacos, nothing bad about it it’s just not what you’d expect when ordering tacos) and the tres leches cake(which could easily be served without the apple butter, although delicious, it overshadowed the taste from the cake and the candied pecans, to me, those flavors do not do well when combined). Overall, I still recommend this place for lunch or date nights. Service is friendly and courteous, and the menu is fairly priced. Their current space is their biggest setback.

Larry Siela

Pay parking. Over crowded. Noisey

Piper Silva

The food was really good ..beef tacos and enchiladas was excellent! Great Nice restaurant

Brittany May

We ate here for lunch the other day with a Senior Citizen group and so enjoyed it. We had Angela E. as our Server and she was fantastic.!! I had the Queso Fundido which has Tequila in it and it was extremely tasty! I then had for lunch was the meatloaf which had chorizo in it. This dish was served with freshly cooked spinach and homemade mashed potatoes with a lime crema sauce on top of it. Every bite was so very good!!! I had asked Angela E. to package up my leftovers from lunch as well as my queso, salsa and chips, which she did with a smile . My friend so loved the leftovers that night for dinner!! Service was fantastic and my husband can't wait to go with me to this wonderful restaurant in the future. I hope we get Angela E. again as our Server. she is phenomenal!!!

Luis R. Collazo

Taste is good and service as well. Even the food is good I still hungry, there are not many food on plate for the price.

Wes Kilgore

Easily a four to five-star-capable review, but it seems like there could be a major problem here somewhere with efficient operations. Routinely a 30+ minute wait on busy evenings, sometimes as long as an hour. That said, the food is good, and cocktails (margaritas) are top-notch!

David Hatchell

Amazing food great bar service and a unique atmosphere! $5 Margs on Tuesday!!!

Ka'Terria Kelly

Went to a Christmas party there, it was a very nice small setting for a get together.

John Bowers

Absolutely fantastic!!!! If you get a chance to go on Thursday for tamales then get there at 5. They go fast and they are worth it

ShyamPrasad V Atri

Awesome brunch place... love the food and the atmosphere.

jason hall

We had an hr wait but it was worth it. They had really good salsa and the wait staff was very attentive.

Christy Gravitt

The food and service was amazing.

Tim Harris

The grilled chorizo meatloaf was delicious. The wilted spinach was a nice hidden vegetable addition. The mezcal margarita is also well balanced. Overall it was crowded and took 15 minutes to get a single seat at the bar, but it was worth it.

Meridith Osifchin

grateful for the vegan options! probably the best i had while in birmingham.

Gwen Powell

food drinks service and atmosphere was great! highly recommend!

Evelyn Conwell

Amazing everything......Always has great food and new entrees.....Their guacamole dip is the best in the state.....Wonderful atmosphere and service......get there early though because tables fill up quickly and because it is so good no one is in a hurry to leave!!!!

Sabina 13

Well. What can I say. Brought my sister here after burying my cat. Strange. Sat at bar to have dinner. Ordered Margarita for my sister and a red wine for me. Saw some food served that looked good and got some chips. Sister comes back in from excusing herself to go smoke saying her truck was towed from corner parking lot. Never got dinner, although I have eaten here before. Unique take on Mexican food.

David Alexander

Always love eating here! The Jalapeno Margarita and the Chorizo Meatloaf are awesome here!

Taylor Stephenson

Absolutely some of the best food I've had in years. The barbacoa quesadilla was

Jamie Solley

Great food good memory

Brandon C

Absolutely wonderful food. The group I am with and I all ate vegetarian options, and they did not disappoint! Bursting with flavor in every bite, the food is not the only reason I will be back. This place had very friendly employees that were attentive even though it was pretty busy. The drinks were excellent and well priced. I would strongly suggest the potato taquitos and a spicy margarita! It might say the taquitos are a snack on the menu, but the portion size said otherwise

Jeremy Kamil

5++ stars. Wow! The BEST. What a treat!! Deserving of superlatives. Totally excellent restaurant. Fresh, original Mexican food, locally sourced ingredients. If you find yourself in Birmingham, you’d be remiss not to visit El Barrio.

Karis Watts

The food here is so so so good. But get there early! They open at 5 for dinner and we were one of the first people seated and there were people right behind us that were told that it would be an hour wait! The food was so fresh and delicious! We will definitely be going back!

Marcela Patton

Really good food! The tacos are great and we loved the corn (street elote). The service was nice the food excellent and walking downtown was nice.

Shekina Harris

Very Cozy and Relaxing love the atmosphere!

AM HU

AMAZING FOOD!!! This is the best Mexican food I have had since moving away from Texas. It is to die for! It is always pretty busy because it is so well known. Although they don't take reservations, don't let that deter you. I've never waited more than 30 minutes for a table but I am always told it will be a 1-1.5 hour wait. When you get there, put your name on the list and try to find a spot at the bar. Order some AMAZING queso and grab a drink while you wait for a table. The beef barbacoa quesadilla is my personal favorite but you really can't go wrong with any of the food choices on the menue. I absolutely love the salad that comes on the side. It looks plane but the light dressing they use is full of flavor!

Romara Ahallow

Shoutout to our server Aine, who was fantastic! We got both the beef and vegetarian quesadilla and both were wonderful (though I think we preferred the beef). Drinks were on point too.

David Mouser

It's Mexican food and drinks with nice modern twists. $$

Jessica Saylor

Delicious food with great service! Being in an old building makes for some really beautiful decor. They have a full bar with a great selection of beer. We got the chunky guacamole appetizer which is really good. I recommend trying the seasonal one as well. Yum! We had the Cowboy Burrito which is only available on Wednesday's! It's so good with a right amount of spice. My only complaint would be the noise level. When we first got there only a few tables were full but by the time we left it was packed which meant it was really loud and hard to hear someone talking to you even when they were sitting a few feet away. Overall a great dinner!

Patrick Steigner

The food is simply amazing. Some of the best I’ve ever experienced. You are missing out if you haven’t been here.

Valerie Chavez

I ordered the Ceviche and it was not very good, server came over and replaced it with Carnitas.. they were amazing!! I was very pleased on how the server went above and beyond to make sure that I had a meal that was to my satisfaction we also had the guacamole dip which was top notch.

Tommy Woods

First time here. Long wait but definatley worth it. Our server was Ben and to say the service from him was impeccable, is an understatement. We are from Tuscaloosa and this was worth the drive and we WILL be back!!!

Kerri Berrios

Great food and Kevin's service is amazing

Luke Walker

Great place amazing atmosphere. You can tell they really have a good handle on their meat and know how to use it. It's a two hand job and I was glad to digest it.

Justin Irvine

The best Mexican restaurant in Alabama! Amazing!

Scott Giddens

Imaginative creations of familiar dishes that never fail to satisfy. Always great service and bar. Shrimp quesadilla today that was over the top.

Charlie Harris

Great food, tremendous staff and many specials.

Garrett Scott

Third time we have ever been, and it's amazing! It's not just upscale Tex Mex. It is a 5 star Cantina, the play with food is somehow new, and yet familiar. The menu is always evolving so everytime you go back it is new experience. There is often a wait, FYI, and no matter how long it is, just stick it out. You will never regret it.

Ashton

Great choice for sit down Mexican food

Eli Rodriguez

The one thing that makes me give it 3 stars is the horrible layout of the place. It’s obviously thriving, invest in a larger place or a secondary location; everything is so clumped together that we had to literally move tables out of the way just to get in and out of our seats. We could pretty much hear what our neighbors were talking about. They do not take reservations so be ready to wait anywhere from 20 to 50 min for a table if showing up for dinner. The food itself is good, definitely worth four stars from my perspective, and although it’s not authentic Mexican food, they never claim to be an authentic Mexican food place. I personally like their take on Mexican dishes with their own twist. We had the chicken enchiladas, the goat cheese dip, tacos al pastor(I’m still processing why I was served deconstructed tacos, nothing bad about it it’s just not what you’d expect when ordering tacos) and the tres leches cake(which could easily be served without the apple butter, although delicious, it overshadowed the taste from the cake and the candied pecans, to me, those flavors do not do well when combined). Overall, I still recommend this place for lunch or date nights. Service is friendly and courteous, and the menu is fairly priced. Their current space is their biggest setback.

Larry Siela

Pay parking. Over crowded. Noisey

Piper Silva

The food was really good ..beef tacos and enchiladas was excellent! Great Nice restaurant

Brittany May

We ate here for lunch the other day with a Senior Citizen group and so enjoyed it. We had Angela E. as our Server and she was fantastic.!! I had the Queso Fundido which has Tequila in it and it was extremely tasty! I then had for lunch was the meatloaf which had chorizo in it. This dish was served with freshly cooked spinach and homemade mashed potatoes with a lime crema sauce on top of it. Every bite was so very good!!! I had asked Angela E. to package up my leftovers from lunch as well as my queso, salsa and chips, which she did with a smile . My friend so loved the leftovers that night for dinner!! Service was fantastic and my husband can't wait to go with me to this wonderful restaurant in the future. I hope we get Angela E. again as our Server. she is phenomenal!!!

Luis R. Collazo

Taste is good and service as well. Even the food is good I still hungry, there are not many food on plate for the price.

Wes Kilgore

Easily a four to five-star-capable review, but it seems like there could be a major problem here somewhere with efficient operations. Routinely a 30+ minute wait on busy evenings, sometimes as long as an hour. That said, the food is good, and cocktails (margaritas) are top-notch!

David Hatchell

Amazing food great bar service and a unique atmosphere! $5 Margs on Tuesday!!!

Deena Horowitz

Very good food, lots of options and fantastic service. We tried numerous small plates and shared them all. I asked for a mezcal recommendation and someone came over and gave me a detailed explanation of 3 different types that they let me try! Plus this is great for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. It is a SUPER long wait on weekends so set time to hang out while you wait!

Ka'Terria Kelly

Went to a Christmas party there, it was a very nice small setting for a get together.

John Bowers

Absolutely fantastic!!!! If you get a chance to go on Thursday for tamales then get there at 5. They go fast and they are worth it

ShyamPrasad V Atri

Awesome brunch place... love the food and the atmosphere.

jason hall

We had an hr wait but it was worth it. They had really good salsa and the wait staff was very attentive.

Christy Gravitt

The food and service was amazing.

Tim Harris

The grilled chorizo meatloaf was delicious. The wilted spinach was a nice hidden vegetable addition. The mezcal margarita is also well balanced. Overall it was crowded and took 15 minutes to get a single seat at the bar, but it was worth it.

Meridith Osifchin

grateful for the vegan options! probably the best i had while in birmingham.

Gwen Powell

food drinks service and atmosphere was great! highly recommend!

Evelyn Conwell

Amazing everything......Always has great food and new entrees.....Their guacamole dip is the best in the state.....Wonderful atmosphere and service......get there early though because tables fill up quickly and because it is so good no one is in a hurry to leave!!!!

Sabina 13

Well. What can I say. Brought my sister here after burying my cat. Strange. Sat at bar to have dinner. Ordered Margarita for my sister and a red wine for me. Saw some food served that looked good and got some chips. Sister comes back in from excusing herself to go smoke saying her truck was towed from corner parking lot. Never got dinner, although I have eaten here before. Unique take on Mexican food.

David Alexander

Always love eating here! The Jalapeno Margarita and the Chorizo Meatloaf are awesome here!

Taylor Stephenson

Absolutely some of the best food I've had in years. The barbacoa quesadilla was

Jamie Solley

Great food good memory

Jeremy Kamil

5++ stars. Wow! The BEST. What a treat!! Deserving of superlatives. Totally excellent restaurant. Fresh, original Mexican food, locally sourced ingredients. If you find yourself in Birmingham, you’d be remiss not to visit El Barrio.

Karis Watts

The food here is so so so good. But get there early! They open at 5 for dinner and we were one of the first people seated and there were people right behind us that were told that it would be an hour wait! The food was so fresh and delicious! We will definitely be going back!

Marcela Patton

Really good food! The tacos are great and we loved the corn (street elote). The service was nice the food excellent and walking downtown was nice.

Shekina Harris

Very Cozy and Relaxing love the atmosphere!

AM HU

AMAZING FOOD!!! This is the best Mexican food I have had since moving away from Texas. It is to die for! It is always pretty busy because it is so well known. Although they don't take reservations, don't let that deter you. I've never waited more than 30 minutes for a table but I am always told it will be a 1-1.5 hour wait. When you get there, put your name on the list and try to find a spot at the bar. Order some AMAZING queso and grab a drink while you wait for a table. The beef barbacoa quesadilla is my personal favorite but you really can't go wrong with any of the food choices on the menue. I absolutely love the salad that comes on the side. It looks plane but the light dressing they use is full of flavor!

Romara Ahallow

Shoutout to our server Aine, who was fantastic! We got both the beef and vegetarian quesadilla and both were wonderful (though I think we preferred the beef). Drinks were on point too.

David Mouser

It's Mexican food and drinks with nice modern twists. $$

Jessica Saylor

Delicious food with great service! Being in an old building makes for some really beautiful decor. They have a full bar with a great selection of beer. We got the chunky guacamole appetizer which is really good. I recommend trying the seasonal one as well. Yum! We had the Cowboy Burrito which is only available on Wednesday's! It's so good with a right amount of spice. My only complaint would be the noise level. When we first got there only a few tables were full but by the time we left it was packed which meant it was really loud and hard to hear someone talking to you even when they were sitting a few feet away. Overall a great dinner!

Patrick Steigner

The food is simply amazing. Some of the best I’ve ever experienced. You are missing out if you haven’t been here.