El Zarape Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Hemet

This is a moderately-sized, family restaurant with somewhat old school decor. Seating is mostly at tables with a few booths against one wall. There is a separate bar. The PA system plays tasteful, authentic Mexican Ranchera music at a modest volume level.

I came in about an hour before closing time, on a week night, and the dining room was at about 25% capacity. The hostess immediately called for a booth to been cleared and cleaned for me and I was seated in about 120-seconds.

I was served chips & salsa right away. The chips are not freshly cooked but they are made from yellow corn. The salsa was mild.

The menu is extensive and includes selections for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are many choices, including pre-grouped combinations which can be ordered by number.

I started off with a Dinner Salad ($4.99) that was large enough, as you can see by my photo, to be an entree. The lettuce was crisp and the mix included red cabbage.

I chose the Two Enchilada Combo ($12.99) which comes in cheese or beef (with a choice of ground or shredded). As you can see by my photograph, the presentation was excellent. The rice was not just dumped on the plate, but was carefully molded into a mound. The enchiladas were drenched in red sauce (green sauce is available, as well) and drizzled with melted cheese. The star of the plate (literally) though was the red tortilla cup that held the refried beans. This is a great idea -- and it's edible.

My server was very friendly and engaging. She made eye contact and seemed genuinely concerned that I have a good experience.

Okay, so if everything was hunky-dory, why did I give the meal just Four Stars? If you have read some of my other reviews, you know that I am no fan of hot and spicy food, no matter the cuisine -- Mexican, Indian, Chinese, whatever. But the seasoning used on the meat in my enchiladas was quite bland. It was like a mother might have prepared this filling for her fussy four-year-old. I actually had to spoon on some chip salsa to wake up this food -- something I almost never do. Next time, I will try the green sauce to see if it is a little more perky.

Despite the seasoning issue, which I admit is subjective, El Zarape is a great place for a quiet single or a family party. It is Highly...

First time here, came with friends and my kiddo. The service was great, the hospitality and promptness were definitely notable. The food itself is fine, I had the 2 crispy taco (shredded beef) plate (comes with rice and beans) it was good, nothing to write home about can get the same dish at virtually any local spot. My friend ordered a taco salad and it was delicious, she said next time she would get it without beans (it was a bit heavy handed on the bean portion) and it'd easily be her favorite taco salad in town! My other friend ordered the pancake breakfast and the pancakes are FIRE! I caught myself destroying what she didn't finish lol. My friend also ordered the bacon wrapped shrimp encased in Chile and she said they were phenomenal. The appetizer platter was fine, again nothing to boast about, your standard Taquitos chopped into bite portions, chicken strips cut into bite portions, cheese Quesadilla, French fries (some sour cream, pico and guacamole) the French fries are yummy, definitely remind me of McDonald's fries and my kiddo enjoyed them very much! They were quick to refill the sodas and offer soda to go which I found to be a pleasant surprise as many restaurants no longer offer that (understandable due to rising costs to operate) but it's certainly appreciated 😉 One downside I did notice was no changing table in the restroom, there was a decorative table in there but since there was no indication that it was to be used as a changing table I didn't want to use it as such so it made changing my sons diaper a tad difficult but I've definitely done the one handed standing diaper...

I can't comment on the food as I was not given the chance to eat my husband ordered an appetizer with our drinks and she threw a major attitude explaining she had not planned on taking any food orders just drinks but since we are ready she guesses. I tell her I'm not ready and she adds. You said you both were...now I have to come back for yours! She completely didn't listen to our drink order and admittedly guessed what she thought he would want. She asked me again if i was ready...I told her again I was waiting to get my right drink and then relax with it while I decide what to eat.i had to take a call when she was not at the table..until she sees me on the phone and again comes and asks my husband what I want. Bad idea. He felt like he had to and so he ordered what he knows I like and she still insists on interrupting me to ask me how I want it even though my husband had told her. She needs to learn to not hover, listen when she asks a question, understand the word appetizer is not my husband's dinner and stop rushing peeps. She also walked up and took her tip prematurely and so she didn't get the tip we were gonna leave a $10 just cuz I was thinking she must be new at this. But she grabbed the $2 and change left from bill and dropped off my messed up order in a to go box 15 minutes after she rushed us to order it.ithrew it away my husband thinks she had to finish our table before she left and maybe that was it. But it sucked because I used to...