El Tapatio

There’s tons of Mexican fast food in the area but the food at this restaurant is very good. The salsa and guacamole is the best. The staff is friendly and attentive even when it’s busy. This is our go to spot when we are craving Mexican food.

For a small town in Oklahoma, this place will give you your mexican food fix. Now its not San Antonio or south Texas, but if you need a mexican food fix, this is your place for the area. They need a little tweaking but nonetheless, a descent meal.

came here after i couldnt find chinese and so grateful i did. very tasteful service. and awsome food. even mexico cant do what this place did.

Ate there once, for lunch during a weekday, and it was like there had been a death in the family. The Oklahoma Department of Health official vehicle was parked out front when I sauntered in, which might’ve explained the careless ‘welcome’ I received upon entering, and which didn’t change through my When I saw the inspectors vehicle, two thoughts came through my head — either the inspection is happening right now, in which case the kitchen’s going to be on its best behavior, or the DOH folks are electing to eat here for lunch on a Tuesday, which is an absolute ringing endorsement, so I figured I had nothing to lose.
So the place isn’t much to look at — one of those cavernous former Red Lobsters or whatever with a ‘sun deck’ and what appears to be 3 too many rooms separated by too many doorways. I was ushered to my table with not a word of hello. Add to it that I probably got 3 words out of my server the whole meal, none of which were ‘hello’, ‘can I take your order’, or ‘thank you’, and I got glared at by the guy who brought my menu (with no accompanying words, which by this time is come to expect. You might forgive me if, by the time I ordered, I was convinced I was in for a disappointment on the food side of the experience as well.
Luckily, that side was spot on — I ordered the Enchiladas Verdes, and they came hot, tasty, well-​seasoned, and fresh, with gobs of actual salsa verde, some of the better guacamole I’ve had that wasn’t $ 6, and the usual rice and beans. It was a very, very good meal. If I could order this to go, I’d be back every time I came through Ardmore (which is every month or so). It was good — so good it made the visit worthwhile. What I won’t do is ever bring guests here with me… they might not be as forgiving.
I’m not a regular, and this was my first experience, so maybe I caught them at a bad moment. Then again, as a former server, I’m pretty easy to please on the customer service front. It’s not often I feel unwelcome as a customer, but today I did. In different circumstances, I never even would’ve gotten to eat the great meal these folks didn’t seem to even want to sell me. Eat at your own risk.

Im not from here, found this just by accident. I seen a lot of reviews that were terrible. Umm that blows my mind. We have been here since we first found it 4 months ago at least 20x! We just fell in love! The wait staff are so friendly. The service is excellent, the price is very affordable! The food! The food is amazing! They have white Queso! Most of the other Mexican places have that gross yellow watery flavorless cheese dip! Yuck! The guacamole is perfect and freshly made so is the Salsa! There isnt any thing we havent tried here. Its all bueno!

After multiple dissapointing experiences here, we finally had great food today. The service has always been great but for the first time I could taste why my husband like it so much!

Excellent food & drink as well as outstanding service! Highly recommend!!!

I’m so disappointed. 6 years ago this place had the best carne asada I’d had in a while. It was tender, flavorful, and just plain yummy.
I remember the chips being fresh, and the overall experience was excellent
Also, the artwork on the wall was really cool.
Now.. blecchhh. Salsa was flavorless, chips were ok at best. The carne asada was horrible, and the only decent thing was the tortillas. What a shame. I used to recommend this place to anyone who visited Lake Murray
Must be different owners.

The best mexican food ive ever had. The pollo el tapatio with mushrooms is my favorite. The quesadillas are really good too. The superburrito and other ground beef dishes arent the best though.

Stopped here on way to Okc and we wee not disappointed. Very cute and clean, delicious fresh chips and salsa, prompt and friendly service and a diverse and affordable menu. The chicken enchilada was delicious in a white cheese sauce and not drenched. They also had a nice vegetarian menu for my son. It’s a Pepsi not a Coke restaurant but that’s really the only thing we would have changed. Oh and if coming from Dallas it is immediately off the exit on the left by the KFC.

I came in for lunch the other day and ordered the «usual» as I have been doing for years, Margarita, cancun special, which is grilled fish & shrimp.
In my last review I complained about the margaritas tasting like orange juice. I purposely went to the other locations last couple months to ask about the mix and how it is made. It was told to me that each location makes their «own recipe» of mix for the margaritas.
During the other days visit my margarita not only tasted like orange juice, it tasted like pure orange juice the worst it has ever been. To add insult to injury, the shrimp were like rubber to the point I didnt even eat the rest I just left them. I only ever eat half my plate and always take the rest with me, ALWAYS. This time I left more than half on my plate, paid and left it was so bad.
Then for the next two days that followed, I was sick as a dog.
I know this location is ran by the owner himself Don Miguel and his only son Beto. I also understand that mistakes do happen in the restaurant business. I also understand that it’s been very hot here lately. But most importantly I understand food quality and food safety and your establishment is lacking as it is unacceptable when it causes one of your regular customers (or any customer for that matter) to fall ill and have to write such a review when I have been a long time customer & supporter.
From all my years of experience going to all «el taps» locations this has never happened to me b4 at any of the locations. The only problems I ever seen to have is at this location. Bad margaritas over & over again and now food poisoning/​spoiled shellfish.
I have reviewed and frequented all other locations. The managers also tell me and agree with me that this location «thinks they know best» trying to do things differently from all the other locations which only shows inconsistency among the other locations.
I think it might be a good time «Mr Don Miguel to start listening to your son in-​laws (all of them) advice about consistency among your chain and feature THEIR RECIPE for the margarita mix.» The two g-​ville locations margaritas blow yours and your sons watered down (orange juice) version AWAY!
And after my latest BAD experience with your food quality or lack there of, I think it’s safe to say you lost a long time customer and supporter at this location.

The fajitas were horrid. They were sliced into tiny slivers like liver strips and were very dry. The salsa was runny and rather bland. I was not impressed.

I had the most bland chile relleno in my life at this place. ‘Yes, I have lived in Mexico for a short time in the past and may have been spoiled but a bland chile relleno? I didn’t know that was possible. The staff, while being helpful and polite, say THEY don’t even eat there. So, if you like your Mexican food extremely tame and Americanized then this is the place you should go. I have had frozen burritos from Wal-​mart with more flavor than the boiled hamburger and greasy jack cheese that was «stuffed» inside a chile that tasted more like a thick wet green paper napkin with breading flaking off it that was more appropriate for onion rings. ugh… I won’t be back.

The chips are fresh and delicious, the service is prompt, the entrees are great, and the guy at the door told me I looked like Robert Smith from The Cure.
Yeah, this is a good place.

TWICE I have eaten here [okay, ONCE at each location,] before a Show at ARDMORE LITTLE THEATER, while visiting from out of town.
The food was prompt and filled with Authentico Mexican flavors. The crowded dining room (both times) made me apprehensive about a sit down meal, before the show, but, (both times,) the apprehensions were unfounded.
The Wait staff (Both times) were courteous and happy to help with a food allergy (sin narajas, por favor!) information, and reccommended safe choices.
The Cancun (Tilapia) Special was bountiful and fully delicious!
The ticket was not prone to sticker shock, and quite reasonable, even higher it would be worth it!
I skipped dessert, but the sopapillas LOOKED awesome.

the food is pretty standard but good. i have been here more than 5 times and it gets really crowded.

When you first walk in. They sit you down and get your drink order and drinks are there .Food service is fast food is great. They have the best salsa. Staff was great. Loved it there. A fan most def.

I am a sucker for Mexican food. Being from California, even though I am white, I feel like a connoisseur. While El Tapatio may not be the best, or most authentic I have ever had. It is very good. And very reasonably priced too. There is nothing worse than expensive mexican food. Its almost as bad as an expensive burger. These foods are cheap, no excuse!
I love the fact that I can get lunch here for less than $ 6. So whenever I am visiting my parents I stop in here. I like the enchiladas and chimichanga. I don’t really care for their tacos though. Maybe just cuz I make some awesome tacos at home. Their tacos arent that good though.
They have this really good queso dip that they will give you with your chips, or put it on your food. It is amazing! One of the reasons I like to keep coming back here. Plus, they give you gigantic cups for your beverage, which I like so I don’t have to keep getting my iced tea refilled.
Great Service. Great Prices. Great Food. What else do you need?