El Reparo Mexican Grill & Cantina — Restaurant in Minot

Overpriced and Underwhelming: A Disappointing Experience at El Reparo

Nestled inconspicuously in a corner of the bustling downtown area, El Reparo presents itself as a cozy, traditional Mexican establishment. However, my recent visit to this small eatery left much to be desired, with lackluster offerings and exorbitant prices overshadowing any semblance of authenticity.

As I stepped into El Reparo, the quaint ambiance initially seemed promising. The intimate setting and rustic décor exuded a sense of charm, albeit tinged with a hint of neglect. Yet, any hopes of an exceptional dining experience were quickly dashed upon perusing the menu and encountering the steep prices.

Opting for the beef street tacos, a staple of Mexican cuisine, I eagerly awaited the arrival of my meal. However, when the plate finally arrived, it became apparent that I had overestimated the culinary prowess of El Reparo. The tacos, while adequately portioned, were disappointingly pedestrian in both presentation and taste. The beef lacked the succulence and depth of flavor one would expect, while the accompanying toppings felt uninspired and haphazardly assembled.

What truly compounded the disappointment, however, was the exorbitant price tag attached to this lackluster fare. At nearly double the cost of similar dishes at neighboring establishments, El Reparo's prices felt unjustified and bordering on exploitative. While I am willing to pay a premium for quality ingredients and skilled preparation, the offering at El Reparo simply did not justify the inflated prices.

Service at El Reparo, while polite, left much to be desired. The waitstaff seemed harried and inattentive, struggling to keep up with the demands of the small dining space. Requests for water refills and condiments were met with delays, further detracting from the overall dining experience.

In terms of ambiance, El Reparo's charm was overshadowed by its cramped quarters and lack of upkeep. The tables were uncomfortably close together, making it difficult to enjoy a private conversation or savor the meal in peace. Additionally, the dim lighting and worn furnishings only served to accentuate the restaurant's lack of attention to detail.

Overall, my experience at El Reparo was a disappointing one. While the restaurant may have its merits for those seeking a quick bite in a pinch, its lackluster offerings and overpriced menu make it difficult to recommend. For those in search of truly authentic Mexican cuisine at a reasonable price, it's best to...

Poor taste. Over-priced. Poor service. Atmosphere. Primary things that can close a restaurant.

Haven't been in this place and was excited to try it out. I was too excited maybe.

I'll start off by saying the place looks great, presentation is good, well kept, and it's all new of course. However, here are the issues. Music was pretty traditional but, loud and obnoxious. That's just the start. The booths feel cramped. Chairs are not comfortable. When taking my order, this young server guy who spoke no English only tried to communicate for about 5 seconds. He had to have someone translate. What a hassle and awkward for both of us. And I don't think he's been serving very long. The meal I ordered, Quesabirras was the lowest at $16 that I thought would be substantial since it has three of them. They brought some chips and salsa which were "ok". The chips are nowhere tasty and seemed a bit old, not crunchy. Salsa was ok though.

When the meal I ordered showed up, there were these three little things, just plopped on the plate with some very unripe and stiff limes I couldn't squeeze and, an odd-tasting watery sauce. In the menu, there was a holder but, these lukewarm portions were not.

Not a good presentation for a first impression.

When I tried this meal, these taco looking portions were seemingly tasteless. There were some flavors there but, not sure what. Very mild taste. The meat wasn't prepared very well and, tasted old or something, a little tough.

With a drink and this meal, at over $20, a person would expect something that tastes amazing and filling but, left disappointed. Felt like a snack made with no seasonings available. When I asked for more chips, they said it costs extra. Imagine that.

The prices are way too high for the meal presented. And the strange theme of death (skeletons/skulls) art everywhere draws some strange thoughts or conclusions. Not cheery to look at. Maybe this kind of place works in California or Nevada but, it's not going to work here in North Dakota.

Gotta step up the portions, flavors, and lower the price some, maybe a lot. The other two Mexican places in town I frequent are way way better in all aspects and what you get...

It’s new so of course there will be a wait for both seating and food. Parking lot is packed so be prepared for that.

Food: It was very disappointing how bland the food is. The prices are expensive so you’d expect more of the flavor despite the smaller portions. It is clear that the food is made for a specific demographic. Expecting authentic Mexican food in Minot is already being too hopeful. Casa Jalisco by far has the most authentic Mexican food in my opinion. The salsas were not very good, the green one was very flavorless and the spicy red was spicy but lacked complete flavor as well. The Horchata and Agua Frescas were very disappointing and lacked flavor. The nachos did not look or taste like nachos. I’m not certain what beef they use but it was not good at all. The burrito had no sides as was about $20. The other meals had a dollop of beans/1oz of rice and was upwards $26. I was a with a larger party and we were all disappointed. The dessert was by far the best thing here.

Service: Was wonderful. The staff was energetic, friendly, attentive and very polite. If I return to try anything else it will be solely based on this staff. The kitchen was slow of course but we were checked on a few times.

Prices: Very costly for a new restaurant with such disappointing food.

Atmosphere: Very nicely decorated. Upon walking in it’s very pleasing to the eye. It’s bright the decor and plating are beautiful. However, that’s the most captivating thing about this place at the moment. Seating can be a bit tight depending on where...