El Dos Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Hays

This little Mexican restaurant was next door to the Best Western where I was staying and when I am on the road, my first stop is always going to be a Mexican restaurant. Dining area is small but festive. I was greeted in a very friendly manner and seated quickly. Margarita was tasty and the food was delicious. I had a combination with cheese chile relleno, beef taco, and chicken enchilada. The chile relleno was an absolute home run with a tasty breading and soft chile. Maybe one of the best I have ever eaten.

I would have enjoyed going back again during the three days I was there, but the service, or lack thereof, kept me from going back. As I said before, I was greeted in a very friendly manner and seated quickly. That was the end of anything I would call service. The gentleman who greeted and seated me was also taking orders and running the register. I have a lot of empathy for restaurants in this post-covid time when help is hard to find. However, the gentleman, who appeared to be the manager if not the owner, seated three other tables and took their order before me. When one of the tables got their order before mine had even been taken, I flagged down the gentleman and asked if someone could please take my order.

He unapologetically said he could take it right now in a manner as if he were doing me a favor and not as a valued customer. As I waited for my order, another table that was seated after me got their food. Finally mine came. No apology. No acknowledgement of the bad service. Just ... here's your food. When I went to the register to pay, the gentleman did not seem to care about my experience with his establishment, but just wanted to make the transaction and move on.

Bottom line ... go for the food. It is very good! Don't go alone or you may be ignored. I probably would have eaten there every night for the sake of the food but I will never go back after being treated with so little value...

Excellent food & service!! Trying to find an authentic Mexican food restaurant in KS has proved to be a daunting task! We came upon El Dos and we fell in love with this place and will go almost 100 miles one way from our home to have a meal here from now on! I ordered the fish tacos, covered with foil to keep warm & they came with rice & beans. Hubby had the steak fajitas and he loved them, sizzling hot. Chips & salsa were served of course and their salsa was very tasty, though not hot enough for our likes, but the waitress kindly brought some which was hotter from their kitchen and that hit the spot! Their decor set our meal off, with such bright colors and cleanliness!

THIRD time is a CHARM! We can't express how happy we are in finding this little hidden gem in Hays. When you go somewhere and their food is just as good or better than the first 2 times, it's a keeper! The staff has been cheerful and helpful all 3 times as well, making the dining experience that much more enjoyable! Try it, guarantee...

First impressions can be wildly wrong. El Dos is on a rocky lot, behind a gas station and next to a payday loan store. The interior is worn, faded, a bit tired. It's not quite dive yet but a lot closer to that than Grand Opening. But the service and food! This family-operated diner delivered on all points. The mammoth menu with dozens of entrees was short on only one item I could see--fish, with only one selection. (I asked because the menu was too much to read). My steak fajita was perfectly cooked with tender pieces of beef, bell peppers, and onions. By evening Spanish rice cooked earlier is sometimes dry and crispy. Not here. It was moist and tasty. And, a bit surprising. With carrot bits and peas it could be called Spanish stir fried rice. Retried beans also weren't overcooked and were some of the best I've had in a while. The flag salad was fresh chopped lettuce and fresh pico de gallo. It was enough dinner for two and at under $ 12 a terrific value. Don't let the look or location stop you from...