El Vaquero Authentic Mexican

Four of us just had a great meal at El Vaquero. We were greeting warmly by the host and were seated in a booth away from the drafty door. The corn chips came out hot as was the salsa. Service was pleasant and timely. For Arnold, we were impressed with the spicy sauces and more so with the reasonably priced meals. Best of all was the multi-​flavored rainbow lollypops that came with the check were delightful. Once unwrapped and in your mouth is was as delightful as watching a unicorn fly over a rainbow. What a great way to start a wintery weekend in the Sierras. We could have stayed longer but felt we should go to allow the folks standing in line to have their turn.

We have a vacation place close to this restaurant. We’ve been coming here for years and the food never disappoints.
We love our server, Monica, who is sweet and patient in taking our orders, which at times can be complicated, depending on which diet we are on at that time.
The place is casual and low key.
The wet burrito is amazing and huge! It has a red sauce on top of burrito with sour cream and guacamole. You can definitely share it, but probably don’t want to because it’s amazing.
Our friends’ daughter is extremely allergic to wheat and the chef was able to make her a white fish, off the menu to accommodate her. I tried it and it was flavorful and so flaky. They went back the next day for more fish.
This last time, I got a taco salad. It was ginormous and so good; refried beans and rice with salad and shrimp. Yummo!
I wouldn’t suggest ordering a glass of red wine there or at any other restaurant that doesn’t specialize in wine service. The open bottle usually sits for days and it’s obviously going to go bad. The drink server accidentally gave me a glass of red instead of the white wine I ordered and it tasted like bad vinegar. Once I got the white wine, it was good (not great).
The food here is exceptional and we have always had a great dining experience.

As a local, I have visited El Vaquero many times. My review:
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, IF YOUR GOING TO PURCHASE A RESTAURANT AND WORK AS THE HEAD WAITER, PLEASE, DONT BE A RUDE ASSHOLE TO YOUR CUSTOMERS!!!
The ONLY reason this horrible place stays in business is because there is nowhere else to eat in Arnold. I seriously want to slap this guy. Get out of the restaurant business buddy — please! These people are clueless with customer service, make the worst food that always sends myself and whoever I take there — directly to the bathroom.
And if your not eating outside on the patio on one if the cheap, broken, plastic tables, you will be eating inside, which resembles a prison cafeteria — Ughhh. I think the food would be better in the prison. NEVER eating here again. Will not support a business that does not give a S#it about their customers. I’d rather eat at the mini mart at the Chevron across the street.
Try the Arnold Pantry — awesome food and stellar service!!!

When our fajita salad arrived at our table, I was glad we decided to share one dish. It was huge! I was surprised at how good the grilled onions and bell peppers were. I mean– they were just onions and bell pepper! But they were so scrumptious! We had it with shrimp, which was a generous portion. And make sure to try their flan!