El Gitano

My husband and I stopped by this restaurant on our way through town for his birthday. Since we were tired we leff immediately after we paid. One of the waitresses gave us a gift card on our way out because she overheard us talking about his birthday. On our way out the door another waitress stopped us with some dessert to take with. This generosity was so wonderful. We live 30 minutes away but will be back because of this. They were so nice!

The service was ok. The salsa was WAY too spicy! The food was ok. The fried ice cream was stale. Probably won’t be going back… Which is disappointing because we’ve been going here since I was little.

Best burrito in a the valley. El Gitano Special Burrito.
Has been my go to when I want a good burrito for years. Be a while since I have been in, but still as good as always.
Big enough for two to split for lunch.

I have been here a few years ago and had a great meal. I returned and ordered the same meal only to be terribly disappointed. We were seated and someone took our drink order, but never got submitted. The service was poor with long wait time for our dinner. I am giving it 2 star only because my husband’s meal was descent. I will not return.

If your thinking about eating here turn around and go to taco bell the food is better there. Started with horrible service from hostess waited 15 min for a water. Waited 30 min for microwaved canned cheese flavored dip food looked amazing but spirits dropped on first bit. I stopped eating refused a doggy bag cause I don’t think my dog would eat it. Paid and left. Never to return.

This place has changed a lot I used to come often however the kitchen staff and food quality is not the same. The drinks seem off and the staff is not very friendly. it’s a shame because they were the best in MV.

Amazing burritos. Amazing tacos. Amazing tamales. This place deserves ⁵⁄₅ stars. I loved the great service, and the beyond amazing food. No wonder this place has been in buissness for over 30 years! Will DEFINANTLY BE RETURNING!

We were seated right away, very polite. We ordered the enchiladas taco combo, very tasty and served on a hot plate right away. Generous amounts of chips and salsa. Authentic Mexican atmosphere with Mexican music in the background. Overall a great experience. Easy location and priced reasonably. We would definitely go again.

The food was just «ok». Margaritas were terrible. The mix was very chemical tasting and I sent mine back. Service was with a smile, but slow. Not on my top list of places to eat in Mt. Vernon.

I’ve eaten at El Gitano (Mount Vernon — Riverside location) a handful of times and I won’t be back. I don’t know why I’ve given them so many chances seeing as I’ve never had a very good experience.
My biggest problem is with the food. It is simply not good. The dishes always seem to be bland and not prepared quite right. It’s a shame because Mexican food can (and should be) so flavorful and tasty with the ingredients and spices typically used.
As an example, yesterday when I ate here, I had the arroz con pollo. The rice was mushy and sitting in a pool of starchy water. The chicken was dried out and tough. The mushrooms were from a can and soggy, not fresh. The diced up tomatoes were hot and mushy. The sauce itself was bland with no good flavor. And there was no melted cheese. It tasted as if everything was thrown in a huge pot at the same time and just stirred around for hours with no seasonings or spices. It was literally a pile of hot mush with no flavor.
I don’t feel like they really care much about the food they prepare and serve their customers. Not to mention the fact that the service has not been very friendly. Sure, they are attentive enough but none of them smile or try to provide a welcoming atmosphere. Plus, their parking lot sucks.

This used to be the place we visited every time we were in Mount Vernon; however, it is definitely on a steady decline. I used to order the pozole, which is still very good, but it just takes forever to get your food now. Never really had a problem before, but we have tried the past three times and have been disappointed. If you are in a hurry, don’t get the pozole.
The last time we went, we were in a time crunch so we decided to order something else and both went with carne asada burritos. The food came out quicker than the pozole, but that was by far the worst carne asada burrito I have had in my life. Meat was dry with no flavor, didn’t come with the guacamole and sour cream like the menu said. Brought it to their attention and still didn’t get the sour cream or guacamole.
The waitresses were okay. They could be a little more attentive. I am not sure why, but they have NEVER brought me the right beer order out of all the times I have been there. I order a Pacifico with a lemon… and I clarify lemon… yet it comes with a lime and I have to ask them for lemons. Then they bring me a whole plate.
Anyway, will not be returning. We are in search of a new favorite Mexican restaurant in Mount Vernon that serves some kick ass pozole.

Disappointed. They must write their own accolades posted in the lobby area. The arroz con pollo had several overcooked, dry pieces of chicken. The rellleno and guacamole dish was so buried in cheese, I could not taste much relleno chile. The tortillas were semi hard and dry. The best part of the meal was the chips and salsa.

Pretty standard Mexican food here, pretty much like what you’d find at any other place in Mount Vernon, with one exception. I do like their chips and salsa, it’s always very flavorful full of fresh vegetables and spicy. Their mole is also good. Other than that I feel like you could find this type of Mexican food almost anywhere.

We arrived around 3:30 PM on a Monday, pretty slow inside. Immediately/​greeted and sat in a booth. They have laminated kid’s menus with puzzles on them. The 4 year old in my party was disappointed that there was nothing to color.
I figured we were there too late for the lunch deals, but nope! There is a lunch menu with a few items for $ 5.99 and then some other items on the other side for less than you’d normally pay.
The chips were warm but unsalted, good if you’re controlling your sodium intake, I suppose? No biggie. The salsa was chunky and a really good level of heat — not too much to offend the kids much, but a good bite to it.
Our order:
Me — Enchilada lunch special (exactly to my weird specifications)
Friend — Carne asada lunch special (she thought it was a perfect portion)
4 year old — Kid’s nachos (friend was surprised that it was just chips and melted cheese)
2 year old — Kid’s grilled cheese sandwich (it got eaten, so that’s a win)
The staff was attentive and genuinely seemed happy to be there, which had to be difficult since it was so nice outside.
Next time we go back (and we’ll totally be back), we’ll ditch the kids and try out the bar. Something for everyone here, vegetarian-​friendly!

We were very disappointed in the food we ordered last night.
Cant believe the 5 star reviews based on our experience.
Food was totally tasteless and poorly prepared.
And it seemed nobody really cared.
The mild salsa had no flavor at all… just raw tomatoes and cilantro.
My husband ordered chili relleno and it was full of seeds… the time hadnt been spent to properly remove them at all. Beans and rice mediocre.
He left most on his plate.
My taco salad was lacking seasoning so I ordered ranch dressing to try to salvage it. The pulled beef was tough to chew.
We were not asked if our food was okay for about 15 minutes after we received it and when we shook our heads and said it had no taste, our waitress shrugged and walked away. Later she asked if we wanted to order anything else and at that point we said no.
We have eaten at the Bellingham El Gitano and it was excellent so Im not sure why this location didnt measure up.
We will not return to this location.

I went here last night with my brother in Law and the service was amazing! They check on us like every 5 min. This has always been my favorite mexican place to eat at but I feel like the vibe was diff in a really good way! Never had any problems here and the food always comes out great and they have the best salsa around!!!

I loved this place.
They have on Sundays a buffet for US$ 10 per person, children were cheaper.
They have a Mariachi band… amazing.
Not sure why people complaint about the mariachi band, they only play on Sundays.
It’s very busy, which is good. (Means food are not sitting there @ the buffet)
It’s the best way to finish, after visiting the tulips festival :)

Very very busy and for a good reason! Amazing tasting food. Just very good authentic Mexican food

Excellent service every-​time and I come here for albondigas! Helps me get over being sick.

I choose this spot almost whenever we decide to eat Mexican food in the Skagit Valley. Another reviewer prefers the Burlington restaurant, but I would pick this location every time, though I can walk to the one in Burlington from my house. The food is pretty much alike, but the service here is much better.
Our favorite waitress is ViriDiana (sp?). She is very friendly and professional. She turned me on to the pozole, which is what I order most of the time. They used to have nopalitos con chorizo on the menu, and my heart was broken when I saw it had disappeared from the offerings. ViriDiana has talked the cooks, though, into preparing food for us that wasn’t on the menu.
I must admit to liking the food at taco wagons, but I eat here regularly.
Try an express lunch, in which you can get a chili relleno with rice and beans for about the same price as a «value meal» at one of the hamburger chains. Need I say more?