El Molcajete image

El Molcajete

Restaurant Mexican restaurant

Unpretentious eatery with a neighborhood vibe dishing up tacos, burritos & nachos. People often mention salsa, tacos, good, Mexican, delicious, service, restaurant, time, chips, great,


Address

2932 S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40208, United States

Website

facebook.com

Contact

+1 502-638-0300

Price rating

$ $$$

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (1.2K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 10 am to 10 pm
  • Saturday: 10 am to 10 pm
  • Sunday: 10 am to 10 pm
  • Monday: 10 am to 10 pm
  • Tuesday: 10 am to 10 pm
  • Wednesday: 10 am to 10 pm
  • Thursday: 10 am to 10 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: salsa (16) tacos (16) good (14) Mexican (10) delicious (9) service (8) restaurant (8) time (7) chips (6) great (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Bert S. 2 years ago on Google
    We live 1.5 hours away from this place.. we might be driving here when we want Mexican from now on... Just plain damn good. They bring you out chips and "salsa" but the salsa is more a Mole it was served warm and was fantastic. I had the pork with Verde sauce. It was a close second best I have ever had anywhere. The tacos were all very good. We tried some unusual ones the cactus, beef tongue and a fish. All were very good but the fish was special. They also have several juices. I don't know what it was I got but wow. So Andrew Zimmern was correct go to this place.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Justin W. 7 months ago on Google • 248 reviews
    Local hidden gem. Food was very delicious. This was probably the best place to go for legit tacos. The staff were amazing people. Tried the brain taco ... Had one bite ... it was good and well made but not something i would wanna try again. LOL
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Scott P. 5 months ago on Google • 118 reviews
    First time eating here and I was impressed with the food as it was excellent. The salsa they give you was bar far some of the best I’ve had. It’s hard to describe the taste but it was delicious. The atmosphere was good but it was a little hot in there to my liking. It appears they only had a window AC unit which was not big enough to cool the space. Service could have been a bit better as the waitress barely checked on me. I asked for another beer when she brought out my food and had to wait forever for it to get to me. I actually had to ask the other waitress to get me one who then brought it to my waitress attention. If it had not been a bit warm and the service was a bit better it would be 5 stars for me all the way. I will definitely go back and give them another shot based off the food alone.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nick S. 2 years ago on Google
    This is a really hidden gem. Its easy in my top 3 favorite Mexican’s restaurants. Me and my fiancé was in the area to see the Kentucky Derby Museum and we was early so went over here for a breakfast and oh boy so glad we decided to give it a chance. For sure i can say that this was the best testing food . From the home made salsa to the main dish it self everything tested great. Give it a try wont be disappointed
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Prince L. 5 months ago on Google • 84 reviews
    Great place to eat! The food was amazing; I had the skirt steak. The staff was very attentive to our needs and made us feel right at home. I highly recommend this restaurant.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Julie M. 2 months ago on Google • 163 reviews New
    Great food and very friendly service. The chile relleno is delicious. Really good salsas too.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Marie T. 7 months ago on Google • 30 reviews
    Chicken & Steak Burrito with red, green, and cheese.... Delicious! Washed down with a refreshing Michelada. The sauce that comes with their chips, unique and yummy! With a to go order of my top favorites from here, manudo!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Samuel A. 8 months ago on Google • 26 reviews
    Simple taco place, excellent food. Prices are good. Salsa is this awesome chili/salsa hybrid; it's worth the trip alone.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 David B. 2 years ago on Google
    AWESOME FIND!!! Absolutely authentic and amazing food that was SO cheap!!!! HIGHLY recommend!!!!! We got a sopa, taco and lunch nachos- HUge amount of food!!!!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 manuel v. 1 year ago on Google
    I had the torta pulled pork. Very good and big. I only ate half. Saved the other half for dinner. Andrew Zimmer show cased this place. Highly recommend 👌
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Edward Ryan I. 1 year ago on Google
    Had some FIRE carnitas tacos (traditional). A cheese dip and salsa. A corona. They were packed when I arrived but had a table cleaned spotless in no time. Food was quick and hot when we got it too. Definitely recommend.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lisa B. 2 months ago on Google • 74 reviews New
    First time here and food was absolutely delicious 😋. Never ate at an authentic Mexican restaurant. The closes I've ever gotten is Taco Bell. 😆 So, needless to say I was in for a great treat. The atmosphere was delightful and the waitresses were very friendly. Had the fish and shrimp tacos and the pineapple and mango drinks. Will definitely be going back.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kym A. 1 year ago on Google • 49 reviews
    Let me start by saying this is the best 'free table salsa' I've ever had.The restaurant is kind of small (maybe 8-10 tables). We came with a larger party of 10 and were lucky to grab the long table, we were seated comfortably (could provably seat 12). The servers were friendly and attentive. The food did take a bit to come out but was fresh and tasted good. The only negative it that the listed menu prices are not the actual prices. There is a sticker on one of the menu pages that warns about this. We will definitely be returning!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sandra P. 3 months ago on Google • 41 reviews New
    Absolutely stellar experience! The quality and freshness of the flavours at this gem of a spot are simply unmatched. The salsas served with your order are a true testament to the art of freshly made goodness. What's even more impressive is the fantastic pricing – a rare find that strikes the perfect balance between affordability and top-notch quality. The modest yet clean interior adds to the charm, making it a welcoming space where prices remain friendly without compromising on excellence. You have to have the chips and salsa it is such a surprise experience. This isn't just a go-to place for Taco Tuesday; it's a daily delight that never disappoints! If you're in search of a culinary haven that combines incredible taste, reasonable prices, and a cozy atmosphere, this is the spot to savour every day of the week!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Akasha H. 1 year ago on Google
    I can't say enough how much I loved this place. I wish I could come here every day!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Clancy A. L. 2 years ago on Google
    Mixed experiences with the place. First time was great, some of the best tacos I'd had. Second visit was the complete opposite. Their fountain drink machine was out, I asked for my water with no ice, server brought it out with ice, I ordered the al pastor tacos and they were missing the pineapple and loaded to the top with gelatinous globs of fat instead of pork. Very unappetizing texture to eat.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Damon L. M. 1 year ago on Google
    Delicious food, great service! Highly recommend trying this place out!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 SevenK L. 11 months ago on Google
    Delicious. Everything taste seasoned and just nutritious. Suggest going here I drove a extra way compared to the reviews and the salsa is delicious burrito is delicious ❤️❤️🤞🏾🤞🏾 Kentucky

  • 5/5 David R. 9 months ago on Google
    Huge selection of tacos! Don't go in expecting a normal Mexican restaurant.. this is the real deal - authentic. Small place and very unique. Friendly service and decent prices.

  • 5/5 Jacques 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing Mexican food right by U of L campus and Churchill Downs. The salsa is probably the best I have ever had. It is absolutely full of flavor. I've tried quite a few different tacos and they have all blown me away. You really can't go wrong choosing any of them. I always have to finish off the meal with their delicious churros and ice cream.

  • 5/5 Kevin C. 1 year ago on Google
    I haven’t even gotten my food yet and I know it’s going to be top tier. I’ve never been to a Mexican restaurant that makes the chip salsa fresh. It just came out of the blender.. I taste the chiles and the garlic in it.. wow. I don’t even need to taste these tacos to write this review because the quality of the salsa alone lets me know everything I need to know.

  • 5/5 KaymoJohnson 10 months ago on Google
    My 1st visit and I can see why this place has 4.5 stars! I had a carnitas burrito with queso and red/green sauce + chips n salsa. I'm now laying back like a happy fat man rubbing my stomach. Everything was GOOD and the service came with a smile. Ive never tasted salsa like this before, def my new go to!

  • 5/5 John C. 1 year ago on Google
    This is an amazing hole in the wall taco place. They have such a large variety in tacos to choose from and the prices are relatively cheap. This place doesn't have hard liquor but does serve beers. Out of all the Mexican places I would say this place had the best salsa served with chips while you're eating.

  • 5/5 Daniel D. 1 year ago on Google
    Simply fantastic food. The dishes themselves aren't really anything surprising, it's all pretty standard fare, but they are near perfect representations of them. Everything tastes fresh and lively, seasoned perfectly. There isn't much pretense to this place, it's simple and clean, but don't let that fool you, this is next level cooking.

  • 5/5 Jewel R. 1 year ago on Google
    Everything is delicious. I am stuffed. The tacos the chips and salsa(?) I don’t know what it was but it was soooo good I ate two bowls by myself. All the staff was nice and pleasant. I love this place

  • 5/5 Alborz K. 2 years ago on Google
    Best tacos in louisville. Really great service and the place has an awesome vibe. Ive eaten all of the tacos. Even the vegetarian ones are good. The only con is that the area is a little sketchy. It looks nice but there’s alot of homeless people wandering. Not gonna penalize the restaurant for that tho.

  • 5/5 Valerie H. 2 years ago on Google
    Was hesitant about this place at first as it is more of a hole in the wall vibe, but I’m so glad we went! Such a cozy little space, the service is excellent. Everything is so authentic, I have not found better Mexican food in The Midwest than here. Get the birria tacos, you will not regret it! The guacamole is very average, choose the plain salsa for an app! It is served warm which is something I didn’t know I needed in my life until I went here 😅 Keep meaning to try something new here, but just keep getting the birria tacos because they are so marvelous!

  • 4/5 Karl S. 2 years ago on Google
    Looking for real Mexican food on this town? This place is legit. The focus is definitely about the food. A great dive in a good setting. They offer some tasty homemade salsas as well. Try the pastor or Barbacoa. Super good micheladas.

  • 5/5 Brendan P. 4 months ago on Google
    I come to this place weekly and this is by far the best Mexican restaurant in Louisville. The staff is friendly and attentive, the food is incredible, and the atmosphere is just right. I can confidently say they are the most consistent as well as they have never gotten my order wrong. Their sauces are also to die for. 10/10

  • 5/5 Nick P. 1 year ago on Google
    best tacos in town, without the price gouging. their menu is huge! with more selections than a person might dream up. the staff is friendly, the space is clean and has that hole-in-the-wall neighborhood eatery charm. a couple times i’ve been left on hold for 30 minutes (and then disconnected) while trying to order take out. but considering how popular this spot is with locals, and how busy they tend to be, it’s understandable they might fumble a phone call now and again. this is hands-down, one of the best places i’ve ever eaten. a go-to staple for me. i eat here at least once or twice a month. delicious!

  • 5/5 Bree 2 years ago on Google
    Ordered through doordash ---- I only got the churros and aqua fresca de piña but it was excellent. Best churros I have found in Louisville thus far!

  • 1/5 Donkey 3. 3 months ago on Google • 1 review New
    Beware Tippers. Don’t get ripped off! I went to this restaurant with some friends for the first time recently. The food, service and atmosphere was good. I do feel like I was ripped off though. Here is how it happened. You pay your tab at the counter before leaving and are told the amount of your bill, you never receive an itemized bill and you trust that you are paying the correct amount for your food and drink. You insert your credit card and the screen asks me if you want to add a tip of 2%, 3%, 5% or other amount. I think 5% is not enough so I add a $4 tip. I am then asked if I want a receipt and I say yes. After checking the receipt I see a 20% gratuity is automatically added to the bill. So for my food and drink, tax, total of $18.33 they added a $3.51 tip. Then because you don’t get an itemized bill to inspect prior to payment they got an additional tip of $4 from me because I had no idea they already charged me a 20% gratuity, for a total tip of $7.51. They probably makes lot of extra double dip tip money on unsuspecting people who don’t ask for a receipt or are there for the first time. I wasn’t going to make a big deal out of it at the time, but it definitely irked me enough to write a review.


Call +1 502-638-0300 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free of charge street parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating
    • ✓️ No-contact delivery

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