El Parian

I really dislike El Parian. I have been to several of these restaurants in different cities because it is popular with my coworkers for lunch. I have found it less than appealing at every location.
It’s cheap Mexican food. All the refried beans taste like aluminum, from the cans they come from.
The grocery store nearby one of these stores sells their giant bags of white cheese dip.
The beef used for tacos or nachos or anything is bland and tasteless.
The lettuce is always iceberg (cheap and flavorless)
The salsa is not exciting either. I tend to request some pico-​de-​gallo to put in the salsa to give it some chunks and flavor.
The seating is unique and interesting. But uneven surface of the tables agitates me, the plates won’t sit flat, and it seems as if it would be harder to keep clean…
Perhaps the issue is that I was raised in Texas, and hold up a high standard for Mexican food. But to be honest, this restaurant chain is only on-​par with taco hell and taco Bueno…

El Parian saved our day! We stopped in for lunch on a Monday and we were very please. Their lunch menu offers a great variety at a great price with dinner sized portions. The service was friendly and attentive. Cute décor and clean restaurant throughout. We would recommend this restaurant to anyone in or passing through Hot Springs.

I would give it five stars but, they don’t serve menudo. That’s okay. Gone there twice and I can say the food is great and the service was even better. The guacamole is awesome! And the molcajete, well it’s AWESOME! If I’m ever in Hot Springs again, I’m definitely eating there.

Very friendly service and great happy hour with $ 2.50 schooners of beer (but not a large selection). I wouldn’t rate the salsa and queso very high, certainly not the best I have had.

I got the nachos el Parian… I always get nachos… and although they were only so so our part of 7 scarfed it all down. Great comments on the fajitas, the fajita taco salad and enchiladas. The margaritas were fantastic. Attractive on the outside and a casual dining atmosphere on the inside. Friendly and attentive staff. Overall a great visit.

One of the best Mexican places I’ve eaten. The food has excellent taste. And the service was outstanding.

Alright, I simplified. I tried a regular taco and a simple bean and cheese burrito. I didn’t think either was very good. If a Mexican Restaurant can’t serve these 2 things up and leave a customer happy — then I don’t what else to say. It wasn’t the worst food I ever ate, but I’m not going back. There are plenty of other Mexican restaurants in town that have better food.