El Puerto Mexican Grill & Cantina — Restaurant in Clinton

This place is a hidden gym in a small town that is well worth stopping at if you are passing through. My wife and I live in Springfield, MO and we frequently drive up to the KC area to visit her family. We will sometimes go out of our way, or wait to eat dinner till we are in Clinton just to eat here. I have had authentic Mexican food in Mexico, Texas, Arizona, and southern California (even had Mexican food in Germany once). And this restaurant can compare or come equal with most of Mexican fair I have tried. There is a little bit of everything for anyone on the menu though. And if authentic isn't your thing, there are meals that will satisfy even the most mild/mid-west taste buds. Very friendly staff with clean/well decorated...

Had to drop by Bartle Boy Scout camp to visit our son, so stopped here on way home, being this is the (literally) sister store (sister runs the Clinton restaurant, and her brother runs the Pleasant Hill location). Nice clean, cool in the summer heat, great for the kids, will definitely come here again. (Ice cold, tall draft Modelo helped too!!)

Decided to try the street tacos with steak. Unfortunately, the meat had a lot of gristle. Will definitely be sticking with the Chile Verde going forward. Also, staff here are friendly, but couldn’t match the the super friendly, welcoming atmosphere the Pleasant Hill employees create, so that’s why only four stars here.

Still, no doubt about it El Puerto is a welcome surprise...

Changing my review. We have ate at this restaurant since it first opened. Have always loved it. Since new owners have taken over there have been changes and not for the better. Food does not come out together. My wife's came out mins before mine and my side dishes came out almost five mins before my entre. Always get the med lg blue marg. Came without salted rim. Once we were served no one came by table again till time to pick up dishes and it was by a different server. We had to go to cashier to pay. Food is still very good but service is starting to slip. Hope this turns around. Can ruin a restaurant. Will give another try, but this was not the first time for...