El Jalisco

Great food, large menu, good staff. Kids were split. One was overwhelmed by smells, sounds, and colorful décor. Other loved those elements and enjoyed the fun menu. Kid options include Mexican fare like tacos and burritos but also include chicken nuggets or strips and fries. Kid #2 already begs to go back.

A favorite of our family. The décor is fun, the wait staff is friendly & the food is fantastic. Our favorites include the Chicken & Cheese Flautas, the Fried Chimichangas and the Parallada Mexicana.
Never a disappointment. Oh and I can’t forget the Sopapillas for dessert. Top notch!

To die for! No joke… The cheesy shrimp platter is soooo good. A-​star service and complimentary chips and salsa !!

The only reason the review for this place isn’t 5 stars is that I had called to make a reservation about 40 minutes before we were planning to come in, and I was told on the phone «no problem» we got there and there were two huge parties that weren’t even close to finishing, so we had to wait over a half hour. If you were just up front with me, we would have just come later and not spent a half hour standing outside waiting to eat. At least if there was bar to wait at, but space inside is tight, so we were relegated to the parking lot.
Food is so cheap! and good! The green mole sauce is delicious.
I had a bulldog, the margarita mix left something to be desired, tasted a little too «Master of Mixes» for me.
Your best bet for Mexican in Johnstown for sure.

Such good food at such decent prices — we love this place! I especially recommend El Jalisco on a gray wintry day when you’d sooner sleep forever than venture outside. Walking in on those days is like Dorothy stepping out of her farmhouse and into the world of Technicolor. Instant light and warmth and joy!
My husband’s been to Mexico a lot, and while he still pines for taco trucks and abuelas making dinner, this place makes him happy.

Literally a carbon copy of Rey Azteca — what like 2 miles away? Better location and nicer atmosphere. Chicken and cheese flautas are a favorite. Chicken com creama is good but not as good as the flautas. Get queso with your chips — yum. Margs — nice size and good price — a little sweet for me which works bc I just keep watering it down which makes it go the distance while tasting better. Dammit now I want el jalisco.

Friendly and clean. No «sticky» tables or menus…
Food is fresh and delicious.
I would recommend this place to all

Delicious food made quick at a low cost. Very clean environment and friendly staff. The free chips and salsa makes sure you start satisfying your hunger right away. Alcohol is also served here as well as soda from Mexico. Great place to take the family or friends!

I hate it when all the southern transplants come out and bash every northern Hispanic eatery. Yes anyone who has been down south or out west KNOWS that the Mexican is a million times better there. I know you’re disappointed, but do shut up. Mexican places around here tone it down for the meat and potatoes local folks that dare to mix it up and eat their food. Is that wise? I don’t know, but that’s how it is. I love spice and lots of flavor, but I also know tons of people that don’t. So I’m sure Mexican restaurants feel they can’t afford not to appeal to the majority.
But if people here think it’s authentic, it’s because they don’t know any better. To them authentic means: «I’ve never been to Mexico but it tastes the way I think Mexican food ought to taste». Leave them alone. Mexican in the North is kind of like McDonald’s in other countries. The further away from the motherland, the less American the menu becomes. People like what is familiar to them.
Rating this restaurant FAIRLY based on other restaurants in the region, (not in the entire country), it’s a decent Mexican restaurant. Margaritas are delicious. I got pollo con crema with Pico de Gallo on the side. I’m happy to see more restaurants introducing avocados into their pico. It’s delicious! Our waiter was super friendly and helpful. Everyone I was with liked their meal. And the prices are really reasonable. Authentic? Certainly not. Good if you’re not expecting to feel like you’ve been transported to Mexico? Yes.

Bland– where is the spice– where is the flavor?
Salsa tasted like ketchup, the relleno was– I’m not sure what it was– but it was like Taco Bell meat on top of a chilie– that was undercooked and inedible.
This is not authentic. It may be nice for PA, but coming from New Mexico– this is anything but.
Décor was nice, staff was? Hostess on phone, no apology for the chicken bone I found in my flauta.
Overall– not good and I won’t be back– but maybe I’m just spoiled since I’ve been in NEw Mexico for 10 years. That’s probably more likely.

Another great Mexican restaurant from the same people that brought you Rey Azteca! It’s great to have two really decent Mexican restaurants so close to each other. Mind you this isent street style Mexican but beggers can’t be choosers in central PA when it comes to Mexican food.

Went here due to the nice ratings on Unilocal… We were Not disappointed. Atmosphere was nice and food was very good! Good prices also. If you are interested in Authentic Mexican you wont be disappointed.

I love this place as does my wife. I always get the steak fajitas and the food quality is excellent and more importantly consistent. Everything I’ve ever eaten off my wife or daughter’s plate has been very good too.
The service has always been top notch too.

This place is fantastic, authentic, and dirt cheap. It’s a great place to come with family or friends as they are capable of handling larger parties. They have a large selection of booths as well if you’re looking for a more private dining experience. Complimentary unlimited chips and salsa come with every meal, and the salsa is absolutely delicious with the perfect amount of heat. Chips are always fresh and hot.
They make a decent margarita, although tell them to go lite on the sour mix so that you don’t leave with that gross in-​the-​back-​of-​your-​throat gaggy feeling.
I love the chile rellenos. You can get them with chicken, and it comes shredded over the peppers topped with a delicious cojito cheese sauce. An order of 3 chile rellenos is only $ 5 and very filling. I love the shrimp fajitas as well as the veggie fajitas. The veggie variety comes with bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, and loads of zucchini. Yum!
There are a variety of lunch and dinner combo options, and all are inexpensive. So, if you are looking for a variety, this is the way to go.
The ambience is festive and welcoming. The hostess is very warm and kind, and I’ve never had bad service here. If you’re looking for delicious, super affordable food, this is a can’t miss!

The environment at El Jalisco is just one of my favorite things about this new restaurant. The tables and high-​backed booths are beautiful. The staff is attentive and efficient, and so far very friendly. Like big brother Rey Azteca, the food is delicious and very inexpensive. As of this post, they do not yet serve alcohol, but you are welcome to bring your own in.

First time here and I was very pleased with the service, food and atmosphere. A likeable restaurant with charm.

My husband uncle brought us here. We have a similar place where we live in Maryland. Tasty, authentic mexican food. I had a shrimp dish that was way delicious!

Very good, pretty authentic Mexican food in a town that’s short on good food. Service is quick. I had the chicken mole and it was very good. The margarita was made from a so so mix, unfortunately.

I was on business in Johnstown and had the urge for some Mexican. Jalisco just so happened to be right next door to my hotel. Upon entering the restaurant I was pleasantly surprised. Nice happy décor, clean, smelled good. The wait staff was very friendly and prompt. I ordered the lunch taquitos and even though it was after lunch they still allowed me to order. Good flavor. Pretty much in line with the other mexican restaurant chains. I will return.

Went here on a Sunday afternoon and found the place hoppin! For a supposedly «authentic» restaurant though, why are all the servers non-​Hispanic? Décor was kitchy and food just so-​so. Still, I’ll give El Jalisco 3 stars ’cause I don’t want to diss a Johnstown business when there are so few good dining options in the area.