El Jimador Mexican Grill — Restaurant in Madisonville

Dirty & Dangerously Careless with Hygiene and Food Allergies – El Jimador

I had one of the most shocking and unsafe dining experiences I’ve ever had at El Jimador.

We were seated at a table still covered in sticky residue and leftover food from the previous guests. We waited 5 minutes, hands in the air, before someone came to clean it.

Before ordering, I clearly told our waitress, Maria (older woman, dark hair) that I have a dairy allergy and that no dairy could be on my food. She said she understood. When my plate arrived, there was cheese on the beans. I sent it back, and ten minutes later, Maria returned with a “fixed” plate.

Halfway through eating, I discovered beans with cheese hidden under the toppings — meaning I had already consumed dairy. For someone with an allergy, this is not a “small mistake” — it’s dangerous and can cause hours of severe illness or even send someone to the hospital.

Maria was rude and snarky when I told her what had happened. I asked for the manager, Manuel and he was very dismissive and did not take anythign seriously. He handed me his business card, and said, “Call me if you make it to the hospital.” I explained my symptoms would mean a long night of stomach pain and severe bathroom issues, and that I had been clear about my allergy multiple times. His response? “What do you think I should do?” When I suggested at the very least comping the meal, as I would be running the pharmacy shortly after, Maria refused and sarcastically said, “Call us when you make it to the hospital,” rolling her eyes.

I was shocked. This was not just poor service — it was dangerously negligent. The lack of cleanliness, blatant disregard for a stated allergy, and mocking attitude toward a serious medical concern show a complete failure in basic food safety and hospitality. If you have any dietary restrictions or care about hygiene, do not trust this restaurant with...

So we went in and asked for a menu for DRINKS they didn’t have one, so we asked to just get soft drinks she brings back my husbands with ice after he asked three times for no ice, then when we ordered she got our orders wrong, his was pure watered down chicken salad and no lettuce! And then mine was watered down cheese sauce my friends was completely wrong , when we told them what was wrong she says that’s not ASKED FOR, And then brings back hers with it cold Steaks, we again said wait this is cold, manger comes over says we’ll what’s wrong with it? And we tell him husband didn’t like this it was nasty and watery based and blended and it wasn’t good , so he asks again 3times same question, we tell him And then he asks my husband when he comes back, and then when we are leaving , the Manger is bad mouthing us about what we ordered and she says no she didn’t order that she order what I brought her, I called and no one would answer,, then whenever I show up TO TALK to someone because no my husband doesn’t fell well at all from eating there he tells me I’m wrong and that’s not how the day went and I need to leave, I...

We warned our waitress multiple times about my girlfriend’s dairy allergy, yet her food arrived with cheese on the beans. After sending it back, the “corrected” dish still had hidden cheese on it. Unfortunately she noticed this half way through and had already consumed it trusting them that the plate had been taken care of.

The manager and waitress were dismissive and sarcastic when told what had happened, showing no concern for her safety. The waitress Maria was very rude. When we arrived, the table we were seated still had crumbs from the previous guests and was super sticky. We had to flag someone down to clean it.

This is more than bad service — it’s dangerous negligence. Don’t risk your health here if you have allergies or care about...