El Cerro Grande Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Hartland Township

Saturday, March 16 approximately 5 pm). We originally went to the area because our favorite Mexican restaurant (Mexican Fiesta) had a power outage so we were on the hunt for another Mexican place and happened upon this one. We were seated immediately, and the chips and salsa arrived soon thereafter. Chips were good, typical of most restaurants and still warm. The salsa was excellent, perhaps the best part of the meal and probably why they sell it by the pint or quart. Lots of cilantro but not too spicy, and a bit thin. Usually Mexican restaurants bring a mild and a hot salsa around here, but we were absolutely fine with theirs, it was delicious (I love cilantro). We each had the combination plates, I had a tostada, chalupa and a beef taco. The usual beans and rice accompanied our meal and they were ok. Nothing spectacular, but good, if a bit bland. My wife had tacos and enjoyed them, but she’s a pickier eater than I am, and didn’t care for the beans, feeling that they weren’t seasoned enough. Her favorite Mexican food is fish tacos and this restaurant didn’t offer them, so she was disappointed from the start, and I often order fish or shrimp tacos, but am able to be happy with just about anything as a substitute. I generally like to order soup when we go anywhere, and would have here, but the only options are dinner sized portions of a Mexican chicken and a seafood soup, which sound good but unavailable as a smaller side portion. We will go back again for the food, and will try some other offerings, but not right away. As for service, our waiter was nice, but about four others also brought chips, drink refills, checked to see if our food was ok, and brought boxes for leftovers, including a refill on the salsa, which was appreciated. The check was delivered by someone other than our waiter almost as soon as we finished eating and before the takeout boxes, probably because it was starting to get busy (it wasn’t when we arrived, but now it was about 6 pm). I paid right away and the payment was collected when the boxes were brought. I felt slightly rushed at this point but we’re the type that tries to be cognizant of people waiting to eat and not tie up a table longer than needed anyway. All in all, a good experience...

Very disappointing experience today. The restaurant was empty at 4:30 this afternoon. But I’ve had good luck with Mexican in the past, but this is my first time and only visit to this establishment. I’m on my own so I sat at the bar for dinner. Ordered a drink and took my time looking at the menu . Chose a premium burrito. The Californian. The description looked like it came with beans, rice and guacamole. But after it arrived, it was just a burrito all on its own naked on a plate. The cheese sauce on top was tasty, but everything else was subpar. The steak inside the burrito was extremely tough. Had trouble cutting the burrito with my knife and an attempt to make the bite-size pieces a little smaller and chewable, lol did I say tough it was a tough steak! Shoe leather! When I asked about the beans and rice/guacamole that didn’t appear on my plate. They said it was inside the burrito , it was not obvious when eating it !

A drink and a lonely burrito for $26. I also explained to the manager about my disappointment still being hungry and feeling it strange, when all the other menu items had beans and rice included on the plate in the photographs.. not impressed! Won’t be back! Don’t waste your time & Money .

Thanks of course there’s the ambience. Nearly the entire time I was attempting to enjoy my meal. There was a young lady in the back room, cackling, like she was at a Halloween party.? It was obvious they were young teenagers, probably flirting Girl could not stop giggling so loud I could hear it in the dining room This was January 4, 2024 if...

Not a fan at all.....$50 for food poisoning. We went in to give this restaurant another chance, biggest regret in my life hand down as far as a experience with Mexican cuisine. The service was non existent, we had to wait 10 minutes for a waitress to come see us(there was only 4 people there besides us) then..we waited a good while for food, upon eating it, we had noticed the sub par ingredient standards and lack of actual flavor. (taco bell has more flavor) a can of tomato sauce seemed to be poured on everything from our taco, to the burrito and even the Chalupa a bit on the inside of the foil. I started to become very hot and sweating a lot, stomach started to bubble and i felt disgusting and wanted to leave, we had to wait a good half hour for our waitress to come see us.(no refills or any service at all other then the order) We asked for a box out of respect and the bill, and we wanted to get out ASAP so i could go home and use the restroom(i am not good with public restrooms) and upon going to the register both waitresses at the register shot looks at each other and at us then back at each other and snickered at us. Worst experience ever, if I could give -5...