El Meson

We always have a good experience at El Meson, it’s a thirsty Thursday sorority fave. Great service, fun, colorful atmosphere and tasty «fast» eats. No seriously they have your food in a flash, so if you are in a rush this would be a great place to check out. I recommend the tortilla soup; it’s definitely one of my favorite things to order.
I heard El Meson turns into a salsa dance club on the weekends; the sorority girls might need a night out!

A solid lunch joint, we were in and out in about an hour. The place is hopping at lunchtime. The food quality hovers between ok and very good, as does the service. I’ve never been on a Friday or Saturday night, but apparently they have a club with salsa instructors. Intriguing…

Updated review: Miguel is no longer the manager here… and it shows!
Speed of getting sat today was at least 5 minutes. Unacceptable.
Speed of getting food was too long.
Portion sizes are smaller. Veggies are less fresh.
My husband’s nachos now have chips out of a bag from lesser quality chips than the chips & salsa that comes at every table. How are entrée ingredients of lesser quality than the free stuff?
We used to come once a week. Last few months we gave it a few chances. Today was the last straw.
We won’t be back until Miguel comes back to get this place on track.

Probably one of the best of the «fast casual» Mexican restaurants in Indy.
Great vibe inside. Sunlight roof over the main eating area makes you feel like you’re in an outdoor courtyard.
Super-​generous portions of meat on the Fajitas!
Best chips i’ve had at a Mexican joint hands-​down!

Eat here frequently for lunch. Very fast and courteous service! Prices are very reasonable.

My boyfriend and I went here for a late lunch on a Friday and I have to admit I was a little worried that we were the only ones in there. However, it was 2:30 pm, so it was understandable and, as we found out later, was definitely not due to poor food by any means. We were promptly greeted and given chips and (delicious) salsa in the extremely colorful dining room. The waiter was extremely attentive and personable. I ordered a medium margarita and it was absolutely enormous so I can’t even imagine what a large would be (but I’m definitely not complaining!). We started with an order of queso which wasn’t the greatest we’ve ever eaten, but a pretty decent size. I had enchiladas and my boyfriend got an enormous burrito with shredded beef. We were both really happy with our entrees and had enough for lunch the next day. We would definitely recommend it!

Good food, good restaurant, amazing service. Quality service meets exceptional food. This is a big compliment to the Mexican culture. Indianapolis is lucky to have such a class A restaurant.

Food was super tasty. Margarita was awesome. My server was friendly, attentive, and helpful. Coming from New Mexico, I’m always excited trying Mexican food in other places, and this place smelled like home. :)

I have never been disappointed with my food here.
Today I ventured to something new. Shrimp Diablo with flour tortillas. Avacado sounded good too so I asked for some… boy was I glad I had them. The flavor was intense and spicy and the flavor with the avacado was off the hook

Really low-​end typical American-​style Mexican food, with bland ground beef in the burrito and gross thick breading on the chile relleno. The only saving grace, the only reason for 2 stars rather than one, was the fresh and crispy bowl of chips and the decent salsa.

This Mexican restaurant looks like it used to be a former Chi Chis. It’s very authentically Mexican that’s for sure. The staff is extremely friendly and on their a game. I definitely recommend the chicken tortilla soup as an appetizer or in the fajitas were absolutely delicious as an entrée.
I’m a snob when it comes to chips with salsa and both of theirs were delicious. Oh and I failed to mention they’re extremely reasonable in price. If you’re in the north end of Indianapolis and want to decent Mexican meal this place is for you.

El Meson is your typical fast food Mexican food for Americans. Smothered in melted cheese, refried beans, lettuce on the side.
The menu is just want you would find at any other place — lunch specials and combo platters. Prices are very good for this style of food.
Service is fast. After the wave of all you can eat chips, which many people were chomping on, the hot plates are delivered to your table. I would recommend trying something that isn’t typical — avoid the taco combo and go with something else. Try fish.
The burritos are large and full of rice. The chicken is very much like any other chicken filling from these style of places.
For a quick and cheap lunch — this place works. If you want real — go someplace else.

I’m a sucker for «cheap» Mexican restaurants. A fishbowl-​sized margarita and tasty food and I’m in heaven. El Mason has a nice, open interior, but it is a bit rough around the edges. There’s some sort of blue tarp arrangement that’s above your head as you walk in, and the place could use some sprucing up. I found the salsa to be pretty watery and bland, so you may want to tune that up with some hot sauce.
On the plus side, the margaritas were on special, and the house was quite tasty and strong! The steak quesadilla I had was actually delicious and full of flavor. I still have enough leftover for another meal and it was all at a very reasonable price.
All in all — good value, good food, good margaritas — but not necessarily a place to take a prom date.

It was finally a nice day for the first time in about six months, so we decided to walk to a restaurant for lunch. That limited our choices, and since we’re all Mexican addicts, we tried El Meson. Lots of other people had the same idea. The place was full of people wishing the weekend started four hours sooner and wanting to binge on salsa simultaneously.
The food was good. Not spectacular, but not bad. The prices were reasonable and the portions were a good size. I finished half my chicken enchiladas encremadas at the restaurant and the other half at my desk. Nothing is bad when it’s covered in queso. The chicken was advertised as spicy, but I wouldn’t really say it was spicy at all. I would say it was cooked in spices.
They know that a small bowl of salsa isn’t satisfying so they’re prepared and gave us two big bowls of salsa for four people and then refilled it. The cups were gigantic too. I’m glad I didn’t spill.
Service was good. Friendly, prompt, and helpful.

The food is incredible, and it’s reasonably priced. Great atmosphere that’s colorful and campy.
The chips are a little bland, which is good because it lets dip or salsa shine. The salsa that comes with the chips is very mild, I’ve had ketchup that was hotter, but it’s something that practically everyone can eat.
The fajita meals are nothing short of incredible, and if you’re a low carber, they’re perfect because they have a very generous amount of meat.
The North side location does have some of the dodgiest bathrooms I’ve ever been in, which somehow adds to the atmosphere. The toilets are old, and if your stomach is prone to decimation after Mexican food, be prepared because they clog easily and have no flush power.

This is worts experience ever at night club don’t ever go there with out friends because you need some one to protect you if you are drinking.

Seriously, who’s crazy idea was it to bring a party here to hang out and talk? It was 11pm, restaurants are closed by then but an incoming text told us to meet at El Meson Restaurant. Ok? Sounds fishy… but I’ve got nothing else better to do so let’s check it out.
Upon arrival, it’s like a restaurant transformed into a legal-​legit Latino nightclub. I can’t see a thing when I walk in… it’s quite dark lit with neon objects and a DJ spinning latino techno. Someone RSVPed a table in the back corner with these cool-​light up stools and ordered a bottle of Grey Goose w/​cranberry & pineapple juice pitchers. Although, I wonder if they’re tequila beverages are any good. A little bit out of my comfort-​zone since I won’t go out onto the small dance floor to salsa or boogie for that matter with creepy eyes staring at me unless I’m mashed into a crowded dance floor.
I sat there, literally bored out of my mind bobbing my head occasionally (catchy beats!) & people watching (including the corner table with possible hired escorts — fake looking girls that don’t belong). Me no hablas espagnol. Me don’t know how to salsa dance. Me feel intimidated. Went home at 1:30am thinking it was a waste of time and $$$. Interesting experience though.

It was the bright colors that got me hooked (probably the kids as well). No matter how «dark and stormy» Friday night, when you plop into a mesa-​colored booth and get the first crunchy chip with spicy salsa — fiesta is on in the world.
We see familiar faces of waiters year after year, which adds to the welcoming family feel. The menu must have recently changed to get to the more commercial and faster dishes, but still has an authentic feel. Each time I swear to eat only half the boat-​shaped taco salad and fail every time — too good to resist.
TV screens can be seen from the tables and booths, but the restaurant does not have a bar feel to it.

food was okay enough. The bathrooms were disgusting and the water fountain in front had wires exposed and seemed quite hazardous.

Uh, thanks for the cold food? I went here on a first date a few weeks ago. I ordered an enchilada plate and frozen mango margartita. The drink was great. The food however, was barely warm. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a mexican restaurant where the food (and the plate) wasn’t piping hot. Also, our food came out about 5 minutes after we ordered, which isn’t bad necessarily, but in this case it just seemed like our food was pre-​made, then not reheated long enough. Can’t say I’d make it a point to go here again.