El Jalapeños Authentic Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Cleveland

I have been meaning to try this place for a while. I will NEVER return. After reading the other reviews of roaches IN THEIR FOOD AND MARGARITAS- both within 6 months ago I’m quite sick to my stomach I didn’t read those first. Just disgusting.

I came in to order lunch take out. Nothing vegetarian on the lunch menu. When I wAs ordering I asked the girl if there was anything vegetarian in the menu she said, No, only the regular menu. Which is ridiculous. Not even an offer to sub veggies on a current lunch menu item. Cool, whatever. So I asked about the Vegetarian enchiladas. $13.99, but no rice and beans. She said that was an extra $5. I wanted soup also which is $8.99. So it’d be a $28 lunch, pre tip. So… I ordered 2 cheese enchiladas a la carte- $3.49 each, side rice and beans, and a soup. I asked her how big the soup was because I thought $9 was steep. She replied with her hands showing a big size and said “It’s big”. Perfect. I wanted soup but figured I’d try other food I typically order at other Mexican restaurants. Especially since Authentic is in the actual name of the restaurant. My food was out in 5 minutes, no exaggeration. My soup was in a separate bag and felt very light. So I opened it and the “big” $9 soup was half full. So I told her it was only half full, could they fill the bowl. She said that’s how it is. Another employee walked up and opened the bowl. He was annoyed at my request and reluctantly took it in the back and filled it. When I replied with “thank you I really appreciate it”, he just walked away.

The rice and beans were ok. Huge portion, they were a meal in itself. The rice was not like at any other Mexican place I’ve been, it had little bits of tiny veggies throughout. The enchiladas?? I have never seen such small tortillas. They were mini. And the red sauce? If that is authentic then I need to reevaluate my knowledge of Mexican food, because it tasted like it was straight out of a jar, just like the rice- straight from a box.

My soup, once filled, was delicious. But after my experience and spending $26, tip included on lunch- I will not return. It’s...

!!!!ROACHES!!!!! I’m really saddened to have to write this review because I’ve been to El Jalepeno several times now and always enjoyed their food. Last night was the first time I ordered their food for delivery. I was really craving their Sopa De Mariscos (seafood soup) so I ordered 2- one for dinner and one I could have at work the next day (today). It was well packaged- each soup container came with a second container filled with rice, onions, cilantro and limes. The 2nd helping of soup and rice I left completely unopened until just a while ago I removed to lid and put the rice in a bowl planning to pour the broth over it and heat it up in the microwave…That’s when I saw the roach peeking out of the rice….My boss use to be an exterminator and told me it’s a German roach, which almost always implies an infestation. The roach isn’t cooked, but obviously the rice is, so I doubt it hitched a ride from the company that supplies the rice. I’m incredibly disappointed I won’t be going back here because the folks that worked there provided great service along with...

It's been a little while since I've been here and thought Cinco De Mayo would be a great day for a meal here. Not only would I enjoy some of the best Mexican food in my neighborhood but I would also be commemorating the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla. Most of my fellow Americans think Cinco De Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day but that is celebrated on Sept.16th. Back to my recent visit here. The food was absolutely delicious! I think it was better than the last time I was here if that's at all possible. I asked my server if they made anything with molé and she recommended grilled chicken breast in molé sauce. The chicken was so tender and the molé was dark and rich with just the right notes of chocolate and smoky slow cooked goodness. I also had a side of the charro beans which I would also suggest. I have been a fan of this restaurant since it opened and if you're looking for Mexican food that is closer to the authentic side this is the place to go. It is still a bit Americanized but the classic home cooked Mexican...