El Tapatio — Restaurant in Gatesville

I see that most 5 star reviews are generic and don't really delve into specifics about what makes the place good, and instead reviewers are only including general cookie-cutter statements. The service was not bad in the sense that I didn't get my food thrown in my face. But it was far from good. There's nothing about it that's good. The absence of "bad" doesn't equate the existence of "good"automatically. The waitress was not really as much a waitress as she just took our order and brought our food. There weren't any" customer service / hospitality " aspects to it. She never came in once to ask if our food was good, nor to check on our drinks. The check came well after our food was finished, and as is expected with these "take your checks to the counter and pay, like a bum" establishments, she never came back after the check was dropped off. The food was VERY VERY generic. If you're expecting an "authentic Mexican food" experience, you won't get it here. But then again, this is a middle of nowhere town in Texas, so most people won't care, or know the difference. There was nothing "special" about the menu at all. And to end my review: chips and salsa are NOT free-...

This establishments food was awesome and the atmosphere was nice and clean. It was decorated with a festive vibe and the tables are spaced out pretty well. I would have definitely gave it 4 stars but...my waitress wasn't attentive. The couple siting in front of me came, after I'd been sitting for 5 minutes but had their orders in first....I wasn't that upset...it was kind of annoying some what. She came to me last even though my menu was sitting on the table while my hands were folded as I patiently wait. The cooks were prompt though because I received my food fairly quick. My waitress didn't check on me to see how it was going or to refill my lemonade 😒. With the exception of my waitress the entire staff was bustling and very upbeat. If you're in the neighborhood give this place a try, as the food was well prepared...I'm giving my server a past because she could've been...

Don't bother trying to call in an order at this location. We have done so twice and here is what happened. The first time we ordered two nachos and when we arrived, there were only one nacho because he thought I only wanted one somehow when I ordered ONE WITH EVERYTHING, AND ONE WITH NO SOUR CREAM OR GUAC. The second time the lady just completely could not understand English because I asked her to make me fries with meat and cheese on top and she kept asking if I wanted 1 FRIES for $2 or something like that. I finally gave up and called the other location where I was understood and placed my order and was very pleased. I don't think we will try this location again as there is a language barrier that should not be the customers problem when ordering or buying anything from a store...