El Norteno

A good place for Mexican food. It is nothing spectacular, but it is good food at a good price. I like the chicken quesadilla deluxe. It isn’t big, but it is crispy and has excellent flavor.

As someone who frequents authentic Mexican joints, I found the food here to be utterly inedible. An order of enchiladas were almost unrecognizable with the salsa roja resembling watered down ketchup. I really wanted to like this place as so many Kinston locals had sworn up and down about the amazing food. Try El Gordo’s down by the dragstrip for a more authentic taste!

Food was very good, can’t call it great but for the value, it was well worth it. Everything tasted fresh and the dishes were fairly authentic (not too «Americanized» compared to most eastern NC Mexican joints).
The wait staff was courteous but not quite friendly, and our waiter could have been slightly more attentive as we had to wait for extra napkins and drinks.
The general atmosphere and cleanliness factors could use some work. The décor was outdated. The seating was run down and uncomfortable. The floor was covered in broken chips and the men’s bathroom has a leak in the ceiling. Not that I like music blasting during a dining experience, it would have been nice to have at least some subtle background tunes playing to shield the neighbor’s conversation.
I think that with a little investment by the owner, this place could be a gem… as it is now, it’s just a decent place to get pretty good Mexican food.

We stop in a Kinston every summer on our way to Topsail Island. This year, like every year, the food was great.

For the price, best food in Kinston!
This place was great! Family owned and operated, with excellent variety on the menu. For starters, decent chips and salsa. For entrée, I recommend the whole fried tilapia (which came with salad, rice, and limes). Called «mojarra Frita». This dish was amazing! The chile relleno was also very good. Very reasonably priced for the quality/​quantity (my brother and I were stuffed.) I would definitely go back!
Well I did go back and Wow. Request spicy salsa with complementary chips (the default salsa is mild, both are homemade.). Bistec a la Mexicana was very good for entrée my second visit.

Delicious Tex-​Mex style food. The staff is friendly and attentive. The menu is extensive with a great combination of veggies, seafood, meat, and chicken and the prices are competitive.

We have eaten at El Norteno about 15 times. The food and service is consistently good each time we go. We have tried 10 – 15 different dishes and all are delicious. We especially like the Arroz con Pollo (ACP on the menu) and the Enchilada supreme.

I have eaten mexican food in both San Antonio, TX and San Diego, CA and call me crazy, but nothing compares to the delicious goodness that I have tasted at El Norteno. I am surrounded by taco stands and mexican restaurants near my home in San Diego, but I frequently find myself day dreaming about the salsa and queso at El Norteno. Keep up the good work!

Decent food and service. Wine list is limited! Burgundy, white or zeeeeenfendel