El Potro Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Jacksonville Beach

Well, when the locations in Jacksonville (one on University Blvd and one on Beach Blvd) closed, we drive to the Beaches to visit El Potro. We visit frequently and always love the food. It's seasoned, fresh, and delicious. We prefer this place over another popular Jax chain (coughLaNopcough) because they have horchata here! The service is usually really good. There is a newer server, from the sound of his accent in Spanish he is probably Cuban or Puerto Rican. It's not that he isn't nice... He just doesn't seem as personable as the usual staff that helps us. He seems like he's always in a hurry, even when it's not busy inside. I'd recommend that he take a second to be a little more welcoming with the customers. I felt rushed.

I really don't have any complaints about the place, but I need to know who is in charge of their customer relations and Google account. I'm reading the responses to some of the less favorable reviews here, and I'm taken aback. The review about plastic cutlery for example -- Maybe a more appropriate response would be, "Due to the heavy volume of business on Cinco de Mayo, we do make the decision to use plastic utensils and cups so that we can focus our attention on customers and expediting food instead of washing our standard utensils. We appreciate your feedback and hope to see you again soon!" The snark in some of the responses...

DO NOT EAT AT THIS RESTAURANT. After the hundredth time coming here, I have to say yesterday was my last. I used to eat here all the time even though all the food is microwaved, they rang up my drinks wrong and charged me more than what was listed on the menu, and even though the drinks from the bar have NO ALCOHOL IN THEM and they never fix your order.. I used to come because it was so close to my house. Not anymore. There is a fat waiter who barely speaks English that is insanely drunk serving at this restaurant. He stumbles and can barely keep his eyes open. He spilled the drink all over my new iPhone... then he ran up my order wrong (outside of the daiquiri/margarita) I was charged for a duplicate meal. When I asked him to correct it he said in drunken broken English, “Why are you so cheap?” I was baffled and disrespected. The man was way too drunk to be working his eyes were blood red. I wonder if he was on other drugs. I thought this was a family restaurant. I would NEVER BRING CHILDREN...

I came here on a dreary wet day. I originally went to another Mexican place and wasn't impressed with their menu. So, I came here. I hadn't been here in almost 20 years. I'm glad I stopped in. I think there was 3 people sitting, including myself, and 1 waiter. My waiter was Christian. I ordered a frozen strawberry Margarita, no salt, with silver taquila (not house) so that took a little longer. I ordered some queso and 2 beef soft tacos. My food came out before my drink. I waited to eat until I got my drink and some Valentina hot sauce.

The drink was amazing. I could have had another 1 or 2 of those. I didnt realize it was an extra $1 to have strawberry. ‍ . Anyways, the tacos were big and stuffed. The beef was juicy and well flavored. I almost couldn't finish everything.

Overall my meal was $19 plus I left a tip. It was a little expensive for a late lunch, but I needed a drink. I'd definitely come...