El Que Pasa — Restaurant in Asheville

Hole in the wall or Hidden Gem for Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Asheville

Nestled in the vibrant culinary scene of Asheville, North Carolina, El Que Pasa stands out as a delightful destination for anyone craving authentic Mexican flavors. From the moment I walked through the door, I knew I was in for a treat. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a clean, well-kept interior that sets the tone for a fantastic dining experience.

The first thing I noticed was how genuinely welcoming the staff were. I was greeted with smiles all around, which immediately made me feel at home. Shortly after being seated, my waitress promptly took my drink order and within moments, I was served with a basket of fresh tortilla chips and salsa. One unique highlight that truly adds value to the experience is their salsa bar. It’s not just your run-of-the-mill selection; this bar featured about eight handcrafted salsas, each with its own unique flavor profile. Whether you’re a fan of mild, tangy salsas or crave a spicy kick, there’s something for everyone. This kind of attention to detail in offering a variety of salsas is a testament to their commitment to providing an authentic Mexican dining experience.

For my meal, I ordered the steak fajitas, paired with their house special margarita. The sizzle of the fajitas as they were brought to the table instantly got my taste buds going. The steak was cooked to perfection – tender, juicy, and seasoned just right. The accompanying peppers and onions were fresh and added a nice balance to the dish. But what truly impressed me was the authenticity of the flavors. It’s clear that El Que Pasa takes pride in delivering a genuine Mexican dining experience, and they don’t cut corners when it comes to the quality of their ingredients.

As for the margarita, it was simply a 10/10. The blend was perfectly balanced – not overly sweet, with just the right amount of tequila and a fresh citrus finish. It complemented my meal perfectly and added to the overall satisfaction of the evening.

El Que Pasa offers much more than just a meal; it provides an experience. Whether you’re a local or just passing through Asheville, this restaurant is worth a visit. The combination of friendly service, an expansive salsa bar, and mouth-watering dishes makes it a standout choice for Mexican cuisine in the area. I’m already looking forward to my next visit, and this time, I’ll be bringing my family along to share in the great food and warm atmosphere.

If you’re searching for authentic Mexican flavors in Asheville with a welcoming vibe and top-notch service, El Que Pasa should be at the top of your list. Five stars...

As I sat there, basking in the glory of a meal that I still cant completely begin to internalize, I tried to pinpoint where the soft echo from my past was calling from, this deja-vu with the fuzzy edges. Finally, it all came back; Summer, 1999. Venice Beach, CA. The place was called Tortilla Grill, and once I had discovered it, I became completely disinterested in eating anywhere else. Their burritos owned me. I was their slave. The steak and chicken was grilled by chicano angels who would read my mind and stuff the tortillas full of the contents of my dreams. If I wasnt at Tortilla Grill you would often find me at the pawn shop, selling my belongings so I had money to go to Tortilla Grill. Finally I ended up in Burrito Rehab were I learned about things like moderation and overindulgence. Cut to 15 years later and here I am sitting in El Que Pasa, wondering how many more complimentary bowls of bean dip and chips we were not going to turn down. How many more slices of burrito I was going to shovel into my mouth before my stomach fell off. How many more Cadillac margaritas I was going to drive to lovers lane and ravish. How many more salsas I was going to romance before they all realized that I was just a whore for their kisses. I was overwhelmed. I was overrun with emotion and boasted like a new parent to anyone within earshot. I had the California Burrito, if it even matters. Looking over the menu, there was little doubt that I would probably be mesmerized by just about any of their offerings in this particular category. Senora McStyles had the Organico one. We sat there together and cried a little, forking in mouthfuls between dabbing at our tears as we bathed in the beauty of the moment. The rest of our group have been regulars here for years and watched us with pride as we figured it all out, applauding us on our good taste and respectful worship. This was just the first, of what we know will be many, Sunday afternoons celebrating life with great food and people at El Que Pasa. Thank You, for finally giving us a church we can believe in. Grade: A (no description can do justice to perfection...

I will NEVER be back to this place after how I was treated today, and I used to come here about twice a week and bring family. The woman who seemed to be the head of the take out station needs an attitude check and to be fired. That was one of the most rude, condescending people I've ever encountered at a restaurant especially when THEY were in the wrong. She didn't have a uniform on so I'm assuming she's management, but she didn't even know her job. My take out order was WRONG like it always is which is why I checked it in the car. I went back in to tell them it was wrong and to get the correct order made. She proceeded to ARGUE with me and talk down to me and tell me that it was my fault it was wrong and that "I needed to be careful next time when placing the order and place it correctly" 🤣🤣🤣. I then pull out my receipt on my phone which she didn't think I had and then this hateful woman tries to GASLIGHT me into saying that my order was still wrong because I typed it wrong whenever I had the receipt right there in her face showing, low and behold, that I placed it CORRECTLY. It wasn't my fault, it was theirs. Shocker. 🙄. Then she gets quiet and tries to find something else to argue about so she says i didn't pay for the extra cheese on my order. Yeah, i did..I have THE RECEIPT AND SHE'S STILL TRYING TO GASLIGHT ME TELLING ME I DIDN'T PAY WHEN IT SAYS I DID 🤣🤣🤣. I wasnt about to let her make me out to look like a liar so since I wouldn't let up she finally stomped to the back and said I'll just remake it. Good. Congrats for actually doing your job! I will NEVER be back. This woman mind you was eyeing me the second i walked in the door so she just wanted to argue. Maybe she has a jealousy problem. Sure seems like it. She needs to be fired. Horrible experience. Never again. You get better treatment...