El Barco Bar and Grill — Restaurant in Lake City

We went here after a hard day of working around the house, and I just wanted a relaxed dining experience with a great atmosphere. We'd never been here before (and hadn't explored Lake City very much), but remembered having seen this place on a previous visit just a couple of weeks prior.

The atmosphere was great, and it was exactly what we were hoping for. It's stereotypically Mexican with the elements you'd expect: arched doorways, vibrant colors, murals that call back to Mexico. But it also has some paintings that call back to Lake City's history, and that was a flourish we weren't expecting.

The service was outstanding and the gentleman working that day had a terrific, warm, and welcoming demeanor; made you feel like you'd wandered into a friend's house who's oddly prepared for many guests.

The menu wasn't overly large or complicated, as so many Mexican restaurants' menus are. It's about four pages total (two front-and-back, essentially) and it's clearly focused on doing a carefully curated selection of dishes very well. There's still something here for everyone, but there aren't the endless variations on each type of dish (burritos in 15 styles, etc) that most Mexican places put on their menus. After a long day of working around the house, I really appreciated the simplicity and not being overwhelmed by the available choices.

I ordered the Steak Vaquero, which was a ribeye steak and six shrimp topped with mushrooms, cheese, a delicious sauce, and vegetables served fajita-style, and a Pina Colada. Both the food and drink were delicious, and well worth the money.

My wife ordered a chimichanga and stuck with water for a beverage. She loved the chimi and said it was the best she's had in recent memory.

There's no place of this quality in Red Wing, proper. We're looking forward...

We come here at least 2 times a month and I look forward to each visit. I have to say today was a big disappointment!! I tell everyone about how there blue Margaritas are the best I have every had (include the ones we get in our yearly trip to Cabo). But today the were in the bottom 10% of all the Margaritas I've had. I even asked the waiter if the way the blue Margarita (because it was green)and tasted different,he said yes and walked away. So I finished it & my husband said maybe it's a fluke order another one. So I did and it was worse. The cheese dip arrived cold and then when the food my husband ordered arrived was wrong (believe that was a language barrier) my food was a little off with portions of each item. Hope this is a fluke. Guess bottom line is very disappointed Especially when our order was $80....

Family and I went to El Barco yesterday for the first time.

This restaurant is under newer management, but we have not been there since the change.

The food was excellent. Large portions at reasonable prices for a lunch time meal. Chips and salsa premeal were also very good, with multiple servings if you so desire. Presentation was good, and restaurant was clean with bright Latino colors.

The host and waiter was friendly and attentive. He was also patient with our young granddaughters.

Small town restaurants face many challenges in today's market, but once you find a good one it is more important to give it repeat patronage in order to keep them around for many years.

If you live in the Lake City area or are visiting during a tourist retreat, take the time to give them a visit. You will not be...