El Chico Cafe — Restaurant in Granbury

First of all, this was only a small part of the servers fault. More management than anything though. We go in and order are drinks and everything is fine. I know though when she goes to get our sodas it's going to be a sub par dinner as one of the guests behind me got up and went to the kitchen and said loudly can someone help us.

We get our drinks and then we order. I asked for another coke and more chips. Never got it. Our food was okay but what I noticed was not. Two more customers went toward the kitchen to find someone to help them. One needed a refill and the other wanted their check.

The main problem I had though was a lady in a El Chico's shirt carrying around a 5 or 6 year old all through the kitchen. The manager was present as he came in a out of there while she was doing this. Then I was noticing they were really busy but had time to chit chat laugh and play around in the kitchen, meaning the waitresses. The manager was the only one that looked as if he was working really hard.

Our waitress had tables all over the place, in the bar, in my room and the room behind us. She must of had about 10 tables which is way to many.

The icing on the cake was though I ordered desert since I originally went there for the Apple pie on the skillet. The apple pie was just taken out of the refrigerator and not even warmed up. Oh the skillet was sizzling but the pie wasn't. The pie was a very dark brown. So close to burnt it might have been. I asked for two plates when I ordered it. They sent none and asked again. Three minutes later they bring one plate. I ask again, a while later I get two, by this time half the ice cream is melted.

The busser's were taking orders. The man to my left didn't get what he ordered. The people behind me were upset about being there 15 minutes with no drink order.

Yes it was partly the waitress as I said she had time to play in the kitchen and she wrote down nothing. Use a pen if you can't remember what I ask. Management lacked teaching there staff to work in a team atmosphere, obeying health code violations and failing to staff the restaurant properly. It was not a busy day either. About 12 or 13 tables at 4 pm...

El Chico has a large parking lot in a strip center, great food, and a good atmosphere.

We ordered the Tex Mex for 2 getting the Chicken Fajita Nachos appetizer, I ordered for an upcharge, 2 beef fajita de primera tacos with rice and beans. For dessert, we tried the Chocolate Carmel Nachos.

Cons: (Why the 4 stars over 5) We started out in a booth in the regular seating area, and it was soo hot. Our poor waitress was literally dripping sweat and looked like she dunked her head in a pool. She told us the a/c vent was over in the bar and promised to still be our waitress so we moved to be under the air. There wasn't maybe more than 20 people there either, but it was too hot.

Our food took forever to come and so did the drinks. We were sitting in the bar too, and it was probably 20 mins after ordering that our drinks came out, and that was only because my date went up to the bar to complain.

The waitress Sheena was attentive, nice, and helpful when ordering. She made our experience so much better.

The free chips and salsa were okay. I liked the thin, tasty chips. The salsa was too hot and a little too chunky tomato for me.

The Chicken Fajita Nacho appetizer came out with 6 loaded large nachos and a sour cream based dip. It was SO good. It's probably the best I've had.

The Taco De Primera was stuffed and so good! It contained Steak Fajita - with pico de gallo, avocado, cilantro, cotija cheese & sour cream drizzle. The refired beans left little to be desired, I thought.

I was hesitant to try the Chocolate Carmel Nachos but Sheena said they were really good so gave it a go. OMG 😋 they were so good and ice cream was in the middle. The portion was huge, though, and we couldn't finish it.

I ordered a new drink, The Tropical Parrot-dise was coconut rum, pineapple and sooo good. I love sweet drinks and it hit the spot.

I will be back and suggest giving this place a try, especially coming from a Mexican...

1735: I am just going to give it to you straight. The place looks good. Servers are friendly. But the most important thing about any eatery is the food. Our app was bland and pretty boring. We gave it a 3/10 Red salsa was pretty much tomato sauce with chunks, It was boring and lacked any flavor, We tried adding salt hoping to bring out any heat that might be in it. I would give say its closer to if you blended up pace mild in a blender. 2/10 Entree - Ok so my wife is pregant and can EAT, I am a fatty and can EAT. Rice - tasted horrible. Beans - bland. Main courses we would give 3/10 maybe a 4/10 but we didnt even finish it. I am ex military and tried to eat as much as I could stomach. When you find yourself thinking that a 1$ taco from taco bell would beat it you are in the wrong place. Desert - We had high hopes after such a horrible meal. I knew the brownie sundae thing couldnt get much worse. I knew it came out of a box and figured it would at least be ok.....so they use that nasty water based soft serve icecream, cheap chocalate sauce and put that on a brownie that comes out of a box.

I have been to El Chico in a few other towns, I have never really tasted such poorly made food at one. Hell El Chico in Abilene Tx is actually quite popular. Why would you pay for 30$ish for two people to eat when you could easily go to a fast food place, get quick service, go home and eat food that doesnt score a 2/10.

I write this just to help others who might accidently decide...