El Chico Cafe

let me explain how when i order 3 tacos that when i picked each and every single one up the bottom fell right out! awful.

Great Food!!! Great Prices!!! Service is kinda slow. Top Shelf is great!!! Great chips and salsa. Really good prices. If they would do a little better on service it would be a great resturant.

Well, bummer. I was actually a fan of Los Agaves across I-​30, but it appears that they’ve closed permanently. I’ve eaten at El Chico locations before and I’m not fond of chains, but it was close by, so here I sit, not too broken-​hearted.
Décor-​wise, the place could be a Denny’s, with music to match. Blech. So much for atmosphere. And I’m a fan of chips hitting the table right off the bat. My drink order was taken and then brought back with aforementioned missing chips. Not a great start. That, and I felt rushed to order. I like to nibble, enjoy my margarita, let the road stress wash away and peruse the menu. My server bounced back twice in four minutes. Seriously? Does anybody order that quickly?
Fare is Tex-​Mex and sort of precious at that. No carnitas in sight. My server, on the third rebound, informed me that it was Taco Monday; two tacos for $ 4.99 and three for $ 5.99, choice of ground beef or shredded chicken and served with rice and refried beans. Sold. I went with three beef tacos.
Chips were okay, kind of thin, but the salsa rocked. Great flavor and heat. The margarita, once I size-​upgraded, was pretty decent as well. And thank God for that, cuzzzzz…
The tacos were hopelessly dry and lackluster. (And, ironically, took forever. On Taco night? The restaurant wasn’t busy). The rice was overcooked; the beans tasted canned and had a dried crust upon them. No sauces on the table. Thank Happy Christ that I ordered a bit of cilantro to add some finesse to this train wreck.
This is the problem with most chains. They churn out quantity and skimp on quality, but the zombie masses don’t know or care, so the menu remains. I’m here to cry «foul!» And will take the time, next trip through Texarkana, to seek out another place. And I’ve had good food at El Chico elsewhere — but this location? Belly up for drinks and then go elsewhere for the food.

For the record, if you think this is «the best Mexican food in Texarkana» you sir either own this place or have only eaten here. Amigo Juan across the intestate is superior to El Chico. If ANY rank of Mexican food is all you are looking for, Taco Bell on Stateline Ave. will save you $ and time.

It had been a few years since my husband and I had eaten at an El Chico. It was absolutely fantastic. Great food, great service, and a clean restaurant. Such wonderful cheese enchiladas. I cannot wait to go back.

For starters these other reviewers are nuts. Pricey? Where do they live, Mexico? What they are talking about are the drinks. Even those aren’t pricey though. They’re standard prices for flyover country. A person can easily get out the door for $ 25 with entrée, large margarita and tip. In 2015 that is very reasonable.
I had the tableside guac and some chicken fajita tacos. Everything tasted outstanding! The tacos were authentic, this restaurant IS NOT strictly Tex-​Mex, and I’ve eaten at plenty of «authentic» Mexican restaurants in SoCal, NorCal, New Mexico, Mexico and elsewhere. For the price I consider this an excellent bargain.
I also did not see any white paper tablecloths. I think that person lied. On purpose. The restaurant was spotless and all patrons seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Dylan at the bar added to the experience immensely. Nice guy, great advice and makes a mean AUTHENTIC guac, and I know my guac. Fear not Unilocalers you will love this place.

Pros: Amazing chicken fajitas, the best I have ever had. And they have a Tuesday deal on them.
Cons: The table cloth was white plastic with some wholes and stains. Some tables were just bare wood but not the booths. Otherwise, looks were Ok and teh cheap cover didn’t match the decent interior.
There was a crying baby (not kid) in the booth behind me, so I guess a bit too family friendly for a bar with drinks.

Good food and good drinks but pricey

Bottom Line Up Front: The best Mexican food in Texarkana (either side of the border)
Although a little pricey, the food is great. This IS NOT Tex-​Mex. They offer a full range of favorites and a full bar.
I strongly recommend their classic beef tacos! I also love their white queso and every variety of enchilada.
Avoid the Chile Rellano Burrito — not good.
Beans (spiced pintos not refried) are the best!