El Charro Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Eugene

Used to be SO good, but the last few times I've been in (every since they were closed for COVID?) it is much more commercial, bland and not how they used to be. It's definitely not authentic Mexican food anymore. It used to be what you would find in LaPaz or La Ribera where my mom lives. It used to be flavorful and actually authentic with flavorful peppers and cilantro and other delicious spices. Now it's so bland! Very sad. Not to mention the portions are smaller and cost more. And unlike actual Mexican restaurants in Mexico, they rush you. It's so annoying! Bringing the check before anyone around the table finished their meal and tried to take my dad's plate when he was not done! Those last 2 bites or 3 bites are paid for! I'm so disappointed. Been there a few times this year hoping for the magic of their food before they changed it, but it's not happening. The guacamole isnt even good anymore, more tomatillos than avocado or something. Definitely more tomatillos than jalapeno peppers in the salsa Verde too. Plain. Also to top it off, the chips and salsa seem extra spicy less tomato/salsa tastes. Seems like it's for the sole purpose of you not eating a lot since they are free. And they arent as generous with their portions anymore either!! The chimochangas are about 75% the size they were before. Anf they don't fry them long enough. More like a burrito.Even the cups for soda and iced tea are smaller. Why did you do this El charro? You were my favorite, now you're worse than a taco bell! They are least have more flavor anyway! Go back to the old way of, things!!! Please! I miss the chili rellanno being made with poblano peppers, too. They used Anaheim last time. Not authentic at all. Poblano peppers are from Mexico. You are a Mexican restaurant. Maybe I'm spoiled now that I know what the cuisine at my mom's place is like. You used to be like that. I mean, La Paz has the best backyard restaurants! True authentic. Not more spendy, just better recipes. What happened?? So sad. Gotta find a better authentic place i guess. Go back to the old ways, El charro!! Do it! You'll do much better! I miss your pre...

El Charro [Eugene Location] - that's exactly what they did to the beef in my friend's meal the other night - he ordered medium rare, but it was cooked until it was "El Charro'd" [all black and crispy outside]. My other friend - who told us what a good meal he had a few days earlier - ordered the Mexican Fiesta dinner to get 'a little of everything' as the menu describes, but unfortunately overlooked the 'a little' part - only getting three lonely little shrimp and one slice of mushroom swimming in a pool of sauce [the menu picture displays a bunch] next to a piece of chicken more akin to something to tread your shoe. Among the group, no one's meal rose above mediocre.

Then we discovered the almost-centimeter-big whitish mold spot in the green pepper they roasted and served to us.

Did I mention the service? I meant almost complete lack of service - ignored for long periods of time, never got anything to drink at the bar while we waited, had to look for staff several times for service. We started taking bets on how long and how many requests would/would not be met.

Making my experience just a little more special, I originaly wrote this review the next morning in between my frequent trips to the bathroom.

But their paint colors are bright and their bathrooms are clean.

I LOVE Mexican food. I love cooking it. I love eating it. I could eat good Mexican food several days a week. I definitely did NOT love El Charro.

Now excuse me, I have to...

I was in the area on lunch break about a year ago. I ordered enchiladas and chile relleno . I was not a fan of their enchilada sauce. It tasted and had the consistency like tomato soup. So, I had a coupon and though I would try the restaurant again. (not ordering the enchilada sauce) So last Saturday night about 6:30 pm i went in there with my boyfriend. The restaurant was EMPTY (which should have been a sign) The service was good however the portions were extremely small. They had the beans and rice spread out to cover the plate but it was probably about 1.5 OZ of food. I ordered the chimichanga and he ordered the chalupa. Both items had maybe 2 OZ of unseasoned chicken in them. Chicken was the only ingredient inside both entrees. A tiny amount of cheese was mixed in with the cold heaping pile of iceberg lettuce so it was not melted (which I am used to melted cheese over the chimichanga) Each dinner was 12.95 each which was not worth it at all. I will not go back again. So, at the time of payment my coupon said up to a $9.00 dollar discount off the bill. We each had one (very poor) margarita which were $8.95 each. The man at the register said, "so I will take off $8.95" and I said, but the coupon says $9.00 off the bill, so he repeats himself, "so I will take off $8.95" I did not want to argue over 5 cents but in my opinion that is false advertisement. Please be aware of this place if you choose...