El Asadero Bar and Mexican Grill — Restaurant in Columbus

Ok…this place goes down as the worst place I’ve ever been, in all respects. Let me ask you something, do you go to eat dinner, expecting to be at a nightclub? If the answer is yes, go. If the answer is no, which most people that have enough sensibility to power a hot wheels car would do (if you don’t understand this…you’re probably not one of these people).

You are in for a treat ladies and gentlemen. Classic appropriation of Latino-American culture mixed with a dab of ignorance.

The prices, are insanely overpriced for the food you get. The food is mediocre, for a RESTAURANT, but again…I guess “good” for a nightclub.

The waiter couldn’t handle 1 set of drink orders. Had to come back twice for waters and 1 set of margaritas. Must have something to do with the dynamic they’re going for here.

So…you might be wondering…why does he keep referencing nightclubs? Well ladies and gentlemen…this place operates as a nightclub. If you’re going with small children, grandma, or anyone with a hearing sensitivity, please stay away.

They dim the lights down, start messing with their cheap, neon lights, that I can only assume came off some employees Fast and the Furious vehicles. After the epic light show (sarcasm) ran by what I can only assume is a part-time strip club employee, the music begins. You’ll be serenaded by the auditory deafening sounds of Daddy Yankee, and the likes. When I say deafening…I quite literally mean this. We were sitting under a speaker that was so loud, my six-year-old daughter started crying tears because it hurt her ears so much. So…tell me, does that sound like a restaurant to you?

Attempting to not damage my daughter permanently, I, along with multiple tables (of sensible people) requested the music to be turned down, not off…just down (which is fully in the hands of whatever Stephen Hawking level IQ genius was operating it).

A man at the table next to us also felt it was unreasonable and went to speak to the manager with me. As we approached the manager we both requested the volume be dropped. We both were met with “this is what we do”. Now…keep in mind, there are ZERO signs that yield any semblance of caution for anyone with hearing problems, or seizures…I digress…I asked, politely again and mentioned that my daughter was crying…the manager could not have cared less. He acted as if I was telling him that the sky was blue. As an administrator, I can tell you that regardless of whether it’s “what you do” or not, ignoring the customer to that degree is not acceptable demeanor or showing any professionalism whatsoever. I then became perturbed and said, “So if my daughter’s hearing is damaged after this, I can send you all the bill?” To which the reply was, “Yeah, sure…it’s what we do”.

After my discussion with Winston Churchill, himself, I came to the realization that the people paying for the meal that keeps this place’s lights on…weren’t important and left.

If the options were going here or getting a route canal done, I’m opting for the latter, 10 of 10 times. I sincerely hope this place is gone and replaced with a Jackson Hewitt Tax Service in its’ place, and I’d eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in there for a better experience while getting gouged doing my six-figure salary taxes for the IRS.

By the way…I’d LOVE to talk to that...

Whew. Ok. So for starters, I was told about this place through my cousins who had went for a birthday. So myself and my significant other decided to go try it out because I’m a suckaaa for Mexican food and we love trying new places especially Mexican to compare to back home in Texas.

When we arrived it was packed! Parties waiting but thankfully for just us two we were seated relatively quick. However we were not greeted until it seemed I was about to speak to ask and then the young lady began to engage. We were seated quick.

Server came to the table quick and due to his service for us and myself being a prior server I’m not going to mention him by name. However, he came, introduced himself got our drink orders. Left came back fairly quick with waters and then our alcoholic beverages. He then took out food order and up until that point was good!

Once we received the food we only seen our server once, however the table behind us he was also waiting and he checked on them numerous times. Not sure if he get they looked they tipped better and was just judging looking at them and us however I can almost guarantee had he taken care of us how he did them he would have gotten a 50% tip or more!

Which on his receipt I let him know (:

Onto drink review: I had the cotton candy marg, it was sweet like I like I say 8/10 and presentation was great! 10/10. Significant other got a 32oz beer pretty typical!

Food: I had the street tacos (flour tortillas , chicken for meat) presentation was great , was so hungry I forgot to take a picture 🫠. Chicken was seasoned and tacos were great 10/10. Significant other got nachos which had to be remade due to him asking for no sour cream and sour cream was on them. This is where the issue begin, being in this industry in the past you are suppose to do a second call to make sure everything came out alright . Our server did not do that until he passed once and happen to turn and we made eye contact. Interestingly enough my significant other didn’t grab him to see if he was going to pass or stop and sure enough he passed.

Then when the remake was brought it was still wrong but he powered through. He gave it a 6/10.

From this point the manager did check on us and remove some plates. Throughout the remaining time we seen our server pass our table and continue to check on the table behind us… stopped counting after 4.

I then asked about military discount , he says yes. Brings check about 15 min later after asking if we were ready for it , no discount. I reminded him, he put it on there. Of course at that point he was a bit more engaged.

Hopefully my little note will lit a spark!

Overall, I would recommend this place to eat! Food was good and so were drinks and they have many choices. Definitely going back at some point , maybe that server will get another shot at showing us his...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Taco Tuesday done right — and yes, it works for takeout.

I finally made it to El Asadero Mexican Bar & Grill on E Broad, and if you’ve been debating whether a $1.99 taco deal is worth it — the answer is yes. Especially when it’s this easy to grab and go.

✅ No dine-in requirement ✅ Order to-go, no weird fine print ✅ Chips and salsa included — and they’re fresh, not filler

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What I ordered: 🌮 Taco Tuesday lineup ($1.99 each) – Chorizo (corn): crumbly, smoky, not greasy – Barbacoa (corn): juicy, slow-cooked, rich – Steak (corn): well-seasoned, tender – Carnitas (flour): crispy edges, flavorful pork – Al Pastor (flour): sweet-savory with pineapple notes

Each taco held its own — no fillers, no shortcuts. I’d rank corn tortillas over flour for flavor and structure. They double them up without drying out or falling apart.

🌶️ Salsas: Two house-made sauces — a creamy green with avocado and a smoky red with just enough heat. Balanced and worked across the board.

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Atmosphere + service: Even for a takeout order, staff was friendly and quick to suggest options. The space is clean and colorful — bold orange walls, wood textures, and a layout that feels open without being empty. Also: there’s a guacamole cart. Tableside guac is real, and I’ll be back for that.

Bathroom check: Clean, stocked, and had an oil diffuser on the sink. Smelled better than most gas station-freeway-bathroom combos I’ve endured after taco nights, so that’s a win.

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📌 Google Quick Info: • 💵 Price per person: Under $10 (on Taco Tuesday) • ⏱️ Wait time: Less than 10 minutes for to-go • 🔊 Noise level: Moderate • 🪑 Seating: Booths, tables, and bar seating • 🅿️ Parking: Free lot shared with Meijer • 🧑🏽‍🦽 Wheelchair accessible: Yes • 🧒🏽 Kid-friendly: Yes • 🌮 Vegetarian options: Limited, but a few apps/sides • ✅ To-go friendly: Definitely

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Final thought: El Asadero is the kind of spot where the deal brings you in, but the quality makes you plan a return. The tacos had depth, the service didn’t feel rushed, and even the to-go bag had care behind it. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to try it, here it is.

— 📍 El Asadero Mexican Bar & Grill 8050 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43213

🗣️ Let...