El Camino Real Mexican Grill — Restaurant in Greensboro

Call it the tyranny of abundance. Inundated as it is with quality Mexican eateries of various stripes, an establishment really has to outdo itself to stand out around here. El Camino Real has a lot going for it – solid food and reasonable prices – but it doesn’t do enough to gain separation from the competition.

Housed in an easily overlooked shopping strip, El Camino Real is small both inside and out: maybe eight tables and four booths in total. The casual cantina look won’t win style points, but it is comfortable and inviting. That, plus fast and friendly service, lets you forget the meagerness of the surroundings.

Fittingly for a place that translates to “The Royal Way,” El Camino Real wears its authenticity on its sleeve. While the familiar burritos, enchiladas, and fajitas fill the menu, you will also find lengua (beef tongue), mole, and other less Americanized offerings here. A recent Cutthroat Kitchen episode inspired a fish taco craving, so I decided to give them – and the al pastor (marinated pork) and chorizo – a try. The tacos came well-dressed with radish, cilantro, and lime. Of the three varieties sampled, the chorizo was far and away the tastiest: it offered a spicy, crumbly bite throughout. The tilapia in the fish taco was moist and adequately seasoned, but doesn’t reach the standard set by Los Gordos. The pastor had the right flavor profile (hint of pineapple) but was disappointingly dry.

Pricing here is wallet-friendly. Lunch specials run under $6, and many dinner entrees clock south of $10. Tacos are $1.50 each (more for fish or shrimp) regularly and are only a buck on Tuesdays. Whether you go for a combination or eat a la carte, it is easy to sample a lot here for relatively little green.

Were El Camino Real amid a less crowded field, it would likely be a local favorite. But it lacks the menu depth of El Kiosco, the inspiration of Los Gordos, and the taco wizardry of El Azteca or Crafted. As an also-ran, however, it is certainly...

I don't understand how this place has such a high review rating, it's just all-around bad. The waitress made it extremely clear that she did not want to be there, and in fact never once even made eye contact with me or my partner. She straight up lied about the menu when she brought the wrong dish, then came back a few minutes later when the kitchen sent her out with the correct dish. We even pointed out that the menu contradicted her, but she stood her ground and just continued to lie. After placing our entrees in front of us, we asked for silverware and napkins as the table had no place settings. The waitress left, but never came back with the silverware or napkins; we had to go to the kitchen counter on our own and ask for these items. The salsa served with chips is pretty much the worst I have ever had - it's watery and clearly blended to the point that it's basically the same as dipping your chips in V8 juice. I ordered 5 tacos of different types, and they were all just bad - the most lifeless, flavorless, boring, dry, inedible tacos I've had in years. My partner's dish was similar, but was smothered in a tan colored sauce (presumably supposed to be red sauce or mole, but tasted like neither) despite the fact that she asked for green sauce, and the meat and fillings of her tacos and enchilada were watery and totally flavorless. Finally, when it came time to pay the bill, the waitress was nowhere to be found. We waited for about 10 minutes before going to the kitchen to ask to be cashed out, but our waitress, who was standing right there, ignored us until another employee got uncomfortable enough that they figured out the check and cashed us out. This was our experience at this restaurant after driving for 45 minutes to try it based on the reviews. Don't waste your time like we did - go literally...

By far one of the WORST restaurants in Greensboro. To eat here you would be wasting your time. The manager or whatever she is/was was by far one of the RUDEST people ever. Initially I wanted to order red pork tamales in which she mentioned they’ve never sold pork tamales and that I could get red chicken tamales (which was fine), she then goes on to say she’s been there for 8 years and has never seen pork tamales (okay fine). So I proceed to place my order with the young man and lady in which I asked her to repeat my order back to me in which was repeated correctly (shrimp, rice, squash, mushrooms, with cheese on the side). Well my food comes out with peppers and onions (things that I did NOT ask for). The young man and lady took my order back and then the same rude/unprofessional woman man stated that my order comes with peppers and onion. Like I repeated to her that’s NOT what I ordered and I showed her what part of the menu I looked at and I was very specific about my order. At this point me and her are going back and forth about what I ordered and she proceeded to say “I was being difficult from the time I got there” she asked the female server was I being difficult in Spanish and she responded “well just a little” (all LIES) and like I asked her how was I being difficult about an order that I was SPECIFIC about and you repeated back to me correctly? In the end I was treated very rudely and was asked to leave by the rude manager. El Camino will NEVER ever get my business again. I work in the service industry and I know NOT to be difficult, rude, or unprofessional to patrons that’s showing support to your business. If you would like to be treated with dignity and respect and a place that will get your food correctly and not argue with their customers then visit La Costenita...