El Sarape — Restaurant in Braintree

This was our first time there and we came to celebrate my birthday. We expected a nice happy athmosphere and a bright beautiful interior, which usually Mexican restaurants are famous about... The walls are GREY 🙈 and the overall look is very sad... just look at my pictures. Also, weird narrow tables where you cant properly fit plates. Didn't feel clean...

When we stepped in, we had to stand right in the middle of the dining room, not knowing what to do and there was no host in sight. There were about 5-6 waitresses, as a group in front of us, but no one greeted us or even looked at us. After about 5-7 minutes I got very frustrated and was ready to leave. At that time someone came and just asked how many people - no greeting, no smile.

We got a table next to a large group of people. As I said, the tables are very narrow and small. Also, the set up of the room is very uncomfortable. You basically are forced to sit in a straight line with all other clients, way too close to other groups (about 1 foot) - uncomfortable to talk and very uncomfortable for the time of covid... it's strange, as the restaurant was only half busy at the time (Saturday at 6:30 pm). The main TV in the room was off, but there was a working TV right above our table and half of the room was staring at our side all the time, watching the TV and of course us, too. What a weird set up 🙄😬

The waitress was ok, but didnt introduce herself and dropped a few things on the floor (a part of our food and our mask) 🤦‍♀️ Service was slower than it should be...

Food... in general, it was enjoyable. However, enchilada with chicken had NO TASTE at all, no any vegetables included, no guacamole, very very plain. Tacos with fish and tacos with beef were not bad, but had incredibly spicy sauce at the bottom that ruined it. The chips were cold and the sauce was not good.

I had a grilled sirloin with a sausage, enchilada, rice and beans. Meat was not soft at all, so I couldn't finish more than a half, but the rest of the dish was good.

Strange experience over all... we will...

We ate outside last night on the cute patio out back. They did such a nice job making it look like a place you would want to spend a nice night out. As usual, the service was excellent and friendly and the owner checked on all the tables to make sure everyone was happy and the tables were constantly cleared of dirty dishes or empty drinks. The picnic tables were all freshly painted and looked great. We relaxed a while with our drinks and our very attentive server never made us feel rushed. My son got the pescado al mojo isleno, filet of cod sautéed with garlic with a very tasty sauce of green peppers, onions and green olives. Just the right amount of spice in the red sauce. my wife and I shared the Carne Asada plate. It was cooked medium rare, exactly what we asked for and was delicious. It comes with fresh guacamole and a beef enchilada with red sauce. We washed it down with ice cold delicious homemade sangria and Mexican beers. We have been coming here forever, 32 years, and the quality of the food, the drinks and the service has never disappointed. There have been some blips in the road, but nothing that would make us feel like we would not return. We supported this family owned businesses through the pandemic, first by getting takeout, then with outside seating and when we could go back inside, we felt very safe. Cleaning in between customers was and still is done, wiping down of menus, tables and chairs and barriers between tables . It is great to have an authentic Mexican restaurant...

I grew up in California and most of the first half of my life was spent in Mexican restaurants across my hometown. Since I've moved out here, I've yet to find a place that hit the same vibe as my childhood favorite eateries...until now.

I initially popped in at the end of a long day as a treat for myself. I didn't really know what I wanted and the server was VERY keen on offering some great recommendations. A couple quick questions, a brief perusal of the menu, and within half an hour I was staring at a gorgeously plated burrito with a generous side of beans and rice.

The burrito was extremely tasty, though quite small for the price. The chips were super crunchy and warm, with salsa that dared to...actually be spicy AND flavorful, not just bitter. In general, the food wasn't especially amazing, but it's clear that the people who made it know what makes a good burrito and have a clear passion for presentation. I just wish there had been MORE of it.

The atmosphere of the place felt more like a sports bar than a family restaurant -- a far cry from the places I'm used to. My main complaint was with the pair of elderly couples who clearly had no qualms about making untoward comments about other diners, including myself. The staff didn't do much of anything about it at all and it seriously put a damper on my mood for the entire time I was there...definitely won't be going back during the busier times, for sure.

All in all, the good eclipses the bad; I will be back for more tasty Mexican...