I rarely find a place that deserves a poor review. I tend to be very positive about the places we visit. But with this place it was the little things that added up to a disappointing 2-star review. First, no sign that says wether to seat yourself or wait to be seated. So we waited and waited until the lone server of the place came to tell us to seat ourselves..why not just have a sign? No signs about drink specials, happy hours, etc. Service was fine except that the guy was by himself with 6+ tables and the bar. I really felt bad for him. Didn't serve chips and salsa but as soon as he was coming with our food asked if we wanted any... Poor timing. Food came out in good time but the fajitas came out first.... Hot and sizzling... And then at least 3 minutes went by waiting for the rest of the food (and silverware) while the fajitas got cold. Our youngest kids burger was at least 5 minutes after everyone else's food. Poor timing all around. The food wasn't anything special. Just decent food. The place looked kinda trashy. Random chairs around from whatever restaurant it was previously. The bathroom looked unkept and random soap bottles with watery soap around. I wasn't impressed (clearly). Sorry El Lori, this out of towner won't be back and I'd recommend to others going to the Mexican village downtown.

Less than mediocre food, high prices, terrible service. This is my fifth time giving this place a chance. I was there the other day with a friend. We walked in and nobody said a word. Then a man standing next to the bar said something to us but it was too quiet and hard to understand, we had to ask him to repeat himself. After three more times we realized he said “sit wherever.” Ok then. So we asked if we could sit outside and he repeated “sit wherever.” We sat outside and it took forever to even get water and a menu despite it not being busy at all. This has happened to me other times I’ve visited. Finally got our food and it was just not great, especially for the price. I have never been a fan of their food but places can have an off day or two. We like to go to local businesses so thought we would give it one more shot. This was a mistake. We were m waiting a very, very long time to get our check and some to go boxes. The bugs were getting in our food and it was getting gross from everything taking so long. I had to go inside and ask again if I could get my check and to go boxes. While inside I saw an older couple come in and just like us they were wondering about where to sit. The same guy did the same thing. Rudely and in a too quiet voice snapped “sit wherever.” They asked him if they could sit outside and he ignored them. They walked over to me and asked if I knew. I told them they could sit outside but that the food was bad as was the very slow unfriendly service. They thanked me and went elsewhere. Man by the bar didn’t even notice. When we finally got our check and boxes it was the only time our waiter (same man by the bar) was even remotely friendly to us. I have worked in the service industry most of my life and am very forgiving if things go wrong. Apparently this place is just slow with rude service whenever you go. This might be tolerable if the food was great, but there are so many better choices. Five chances is more than enough. I realize things have been hard in restaurants the last couple years, but if you cannot welcome patrons who arrive and have friendly service then maybe it is time to give it up?

I came here for Cinco de Mayo, and the server Elba, was good and kind. The food was good, I liked the cheese dip. The margaritas were good. Everything came out fast. We were very happy with our lunch.

We ordered El Loro for delivery and we were so happy! The food was quickly delivered and tasted so good! Great flavor and we enjoyed the extra touches with chips and salsa and quac with sour cream! We will definitely order again!

TexMex chain offering a large menu of authentic Mexican dishes. We have been to this location before and for the most part have enjoyed the food. What I do find interesting is that they have been here for over 2 years and have changed little. Still have previous tenant’s logo, signs on bathroom doors, brewing tanks and fixtures, tables and chairs and even the restaurant and brewery sign on the front of the building. Swap out some booths, change the name and crank up the mariachi music seems to be good enough for them. Server was very friendly but limited English, which led to some minor mistakes and plenty of pointing and gesturing. Steak and chicken fajitas came piping hot, but lacking flavor, with a reasonable size portion of chicken and beef strips, peppers and onions. A side of fried beans, Mexican rice, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream and three small flour tortillas rounded out the meal. We also ordered a side of Queso, which came very thin and runny, tasting like peppered milk. Proportions are good, atmosphere lively and friendly and overall quality food for a chain.

The server was very kind and sweet. She was great. Nachos we ordered for an appetizer was good but of 5 meals ordered, it was all like really bad cafeteria food. We might order nachos to go again but other than that, won't be returning.

I LOVED IT AT EL LORO!@ I ATE SHRIMP NACHOS, DELICIOUS 😋 PLUS A MARGARITA, WHICH WAS AN EXCELLENT DRINK. VERY CLEAN RESTAURANT. FAST SERVICE WITH MY FOOD, AND ESPECIALLY A FRIENDLY, AND POLITE. AND QUICK SERVICE.I HOPE ELBA IS THERE WHEN I GO BACK TO EAT AGAIN, SHE IS A GREAT WAITRESS 👍

First time here (and probably the last). Said my burritos were ging to have rice with them. No rice. Very greasy and not real appealing. My wife tried the Fiesta Sampler. Most parts of it were very greasy. Not very appetizing!. Waitress was abrupt and not around, not because it was busy. We were one of three tables. I gave the smallest tip I have ever given (5%). I have liked El Loro franchises before but I won't go back here.

We came in at 9:30 pm and they close at 10. We had a party of 8 they waited on us and treated us like we were the first customers of the day rather then the last who stayed longer then they are opened. Service was amazing. Food was also good .

We stopped in to satisfy some light evening munchies and enjoyed a plate of supreme nachos. It appeared that since our order didn't include alcohol our server was noticeably annoyed. He seemed to anticipate a smaller tip - I didn't disappoint him 😉.

My mom and I decided to try the Sauk Rapids El Loro. We usually love El Loro. We have been to almost every location around. This was a terrible experience. We sat down and ordered waters and asked our waitress if we could each have our own basket of chips and salsa because we would go through one pretty quick and wanted to save her time from bringing another to our table. We ordered fajitas and queso to share. We had just come from a funeral, so we weren't the hungriest. She asked if we still wanted the salad, rice, and beans that usually comes with the meal. Confused, we said yes. The food comes out and she brings us each a 'fajita side salad'. We didn't say anything because we assumed that is what happens when we share fajitas. The fajitas had almost no flavor. After eating, she brings us our check. We had gotten charged for "extra chips", "extra salsa", and "extra fajita side salad". I go up the waitress and ask why I was charged for something that is free. I told her there was most likely confusion around the "side fajita salad" but why a charge for the chips and salsa? She said we were charged extra because we had two baskets at the same time. If we would have had one and then asked for a refill, it would have been free. I told her I have never been charged for chips and salsa at any El Loro and she said it is a new policy from a year ago to charge for refills on chips and salsa because people come in and only eat chips and salsa. We clearly ordered food though and I have been to multiple El Loros many times in the past year and NEVER had a problem like this. We always order food. I asked if there was any signage in the building or on the menu stating that there is a charge for extra and she said no. I asked to speak to a manager. She just stared at me and didn't respond or do anything. I asked again, same thing. I asked for a refund on the chips and salsa explaining that if every table is allowed two baskets free then ours should be free. She said no, we are getting charged because we got them both at the same time. I sat there and tried to talk to her for a while and tried to explain the logic behind that and nothing happened. I paid my bill and left. I am never coming back to this location. I am telling everyone I know not to come to this location.

Startlingly…we didn’t even get to the food yet and i don’t know if I even want to eat it for how disgusting the service just was from a simple PICKUP ONLINE!! I ordered 3 items online under my name..as simple as that..my boyfriend goes in to pick it up and is met with who he assumed was the owner who immediately started barking at him where he was from, what company he was from, asking him if he even knew the order he was there for, meanwhile we simply had ordered this online through the restaurant on Google “storefront customer pickup, under my name” which he kept explaining to him over and over. Finally the owner asked him what name the order was under after a series of people in the room were in shock from the engagement as well…he immediately was able to find the order by simply asking for what name the order was under…that is standard anywhere. Out of the numerous other places in the area to get Hispanic food, I can assure you we will never be back. Absolutely disgusting the attitude he had for no reason.

Have never had a bad experience at this Sauk Rapids location, today we did. As well as other customers behind us did. Beef tips were way too salty. Burrito we ordered didn't have half the correct ingredients, also had bits of steak and chicken which was not included in the burrito ordered. Fried ice cream we ordered was NOT fried. It was like it was taken out of the freezer with whipped topping added on top. El Loro Sauk Rapids definitely disappointed us today. 😔

We had a taco bar for our wedding rehearsal dinner at El Loro, and we can't say enough good things about it! First of all, the food was so delicious. Joe was very accommodating and easy going. We did a little decorating to the private event space being that it still has the beer brewing vats from the previous restaurant, but they are out of the way and didn't take away from our experience at all. Prices were very reasonable. Highly recommend El Loro for a date night out or a large group gathering!

It was a busy Saturday night due to staff service was a bit slow. Glad we weren't in a hurry. Food was good, portions generous.

You know what, I think this place has the overall BEST salsa! I know I'm talking about the "free stuff," but theirs is top notch. I had the fiesta enchiladas. The sauce and cheese just hit different. They were great. My beer came in a giant, righteously cold mug. What more do you want?

Fiancee ordered through door dash for pickup. Idk if that influenced our food or not. Carnita street tacos and choripollo. The carnitas were missing the beans and rice. The choripollo was good but the sausage was slightly burned and there wasn't much if any cheese and no jalapenos. The refried beans were a sloppy flavorless mess and the Spanish rice was also lacking on flavor. Our first experience eating here was just over a year ago and the food was excellent and nothing was missed.

We had shrimp nachos for an appetizer, they we delicious 😋 for an entire we had Camerones Yucatan which was amazing. Our waiter was very friendly, helpful and informative. Great Mexican food/ restaurant.

Had a great time and great food here while listening to The Sweet Papa Dave Band. The service was excellent and our drinks and food were all served fast and fresh!

The food itself tastes good and you get a good portion. However, be prepared to be waiting well over an hour for your food after ordering and hope you get what you ordered. I've been to the Sauk Rapids location more than once and have yet to have a good experience.

Food and service was good, but the margaritas were Sooo sour we poured our water in it which it didn't help!

Got the San Jose burrito, it was pretty great! Service was decent. I didn't have any of their drinks, but their Margaritas and Bloody Mary's look fantastic, I'd eat here again to try other things on the menu for sure.