El Dorado — Restaurant in Duluth

I’m going to be as honest as I can with this review. I love this place a lot, but I do understand the faults with it. Here are some negatives: They are very short staffed, often very crowded so not much room to walk around, customer service is usually pretty hit or miss, and preferential treatment towards Hispanics/Regulars. However, I truly believe their pros outweigh their negatives. For one, you shouldn’t come in here expecting Chick-Fil-A level of service. The extra potential tip they would get by giving you outstanding service is simply not worth it. They are simply doing bare minimum when it comes to service in order to get people in and out of the restaurant. Now let me list off the pros of the place. Their food is outstanding and is very authentic. Many Mexican restaurants around the area have started to cater towards the American customer base and for that reason other Mexican restaurants get away with worse food,higher prices, and lack of authenticity as compared to El Dorado. El Dorado has very good prices on their food, even after their price hikes due to inflation. You are guaranteed to leave the place stuffed or very full for a simple $10-$15. Food these days often cost a minimum of $20 plus tip and even that is not often enough for a satisfying meal or a meal to make you full. Every time I come in here, I tip 20-25% and most of the times that’s realistically a maximum of ~$3–$5. So when you come in to El Dorado, appreciate the authenticity of the food and the amazing prices to match that, instead of complaining about the lacking customer service. Realistically, I would give the place 4 stars because of the service, but I give it five stars for my appreciation for their dedication to good food and...

I used to really like this place and frequently ate there. The food was good and the service was good but sometimes a little slow. Last time I went there to eat however the service was so bad I will not be back. They were busy when I got there but I managed to get a table. The food was not as good as it used to be but it was still acceptable. What was not acceptable was the terrible service. I ordered sweet tea and was told they did not have it despite seeing the pitcher of tea in the cooler behind the counter. I ordered a beer instead. The real problem was when I was finished and asked for a box to take the rest of my food home. The waiter acknowledged that and said he would bring one. I sat there 20 minutes watching him take care of everyone else while never again even making eye contact with me. Every single table near me was getting good quick service, but still no to go box. How hard is it to bring a box and drop it off while going to one of the other tables. I believe the problem is that I am white and not Mexican. I was a victim of discrimination because obviously the waiter has a problem with white Americans. I didn't see a sign that said Mexicans only, we don't serve white people but they might as well post one. So if you're Mexican go ahead and enjoy the good food and service, if you're not then I would recommend you go somewhere else. You won't have a good experience here unless you like subpar food and being ignored while everyone else is...

“El Dorado” Review:

Bad restaurant. Bad employees. First time here. Won’t be back. And after reading other’s reviews it looks like I had similar problems they did. Customer service is nonexistent as is acknowledging paying customers. Not sure how anyone can run a business like this.

Came in to place a to go order. Never been here before and the people in front of me were almost instantly immediately greeted. Maybe the person who greeted them saw I was by myself and didn’t think I’d be a very large order. As I wasn’t greeted, I had no clue where to go to place a to go order. Finally one employee, cleaned a table and pointed for me to sit there. I tried to say to go order and he had already walked away.

By now several minutes had passed still no help whatsoever. Then some other person walked in and went up towards the front and was going to be served before me. I finally got someone’s attention and they said that I’d have to get in line. I said I was already here and that’s when I noticed a very small sign that is in hand writing that says “to go orders”. Came before everyone else and was told by an employee that I wasn’t where to go was and they shrugged it off.

This isn’t how you treat paying customers who come to your restaurant for the first time. I will make sure that everyone I know knows about this experience.

Terrible restaurant. And in today’s economy, I can’t believe a restaurant would treat a customer like this. Avoid...