El Puente Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Nixa

My husband and I went here for a date night a few weeks ago. The live music was fun-- more Branson/Ozark tourism standards than the Latin music we were looking forward to,(oldies and classic country such as Johnny Cash & Elvis Presley) but the musician was very talented and entertaining; in fact, he was the best part of the evening. As it was a Friday night, we had a (relatively short) wait of 20 minutes for seating, but we did feel awkward standing & waiting with other groups by the doors because it's a small dining room: as it got crowded the waiting customers had to stand in a line-up against the window (to avoid bumping into seated tables) and several of the seated customers stared like we were a display at the zoo. Once we got our food, we did have quite a bit of difficulty contacting our waiter for our check. The food was...not the best (we didn't eat more than a few bites, actually.) The chips and salsa were fine--it was the standard thin, medium-spicy type. The chicken in my burrito was made up of rubbery chunks and smothered in a sauce that was more like a gravy for mashed potatoes than white Mexican cheese (I think it was just Monterey Jack & flour). The hamburger in my husband's dish was pale gray & also bland. But the guacamole wasn't bad, the shredded Monterey Jack was fresh, and my husband's beer was cold. The atmosphere was family-friendly and seemed to be a favorite for locals, so maybe we ordered the wrong dishes or caught them on an off-night. Overall, it wasn't horrible and it wasn't fantastic: not the most "authentic" Mexican restaurant we've been to, but miles...

El Puente is hands down my favorite Mexican restaurant, and every visit is a delight! From the moment you walk in, the vibrant atmosphere and warm hospitality make you feel right at home. The menu is packed with authentic Mexican dishes, each bursting with flavor and crafted with care. Whether you're craving sizzling fajitas, rich enchiladas, or refreshing margaritas, El Puente never disappoints.

What truly sets this place apart, though, is the outstanding service—especially from Juan. He’s an absolute gem! Juan goes above and beyond to make every dining experience memorable. He’s attentive, friendly, and has an incredible knack for recommending the perfect dishes. You can tell he genuinely cares about making guests feel special, and it’s clear he’s passionate about his work.

El Puente isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an experience. If you’re looking for exceptional food, a lively atmosphere, and top-notch service, this is the spot. And don’t forget to ask for Juan—you’ll be in...

The food tends to be pretty good, but tonight the service ruined this restaurant for me. My family called in an order and were told it would take 10 to 15 minutes. We arrived probably 10-12 minutes after the call and were told the food wasn't ready yet.

I then proceeded to sit with my hungry 4 year old for a half hour or more waiting, while the meal we waited on sat on the counter for most of that time. I only found that out after standing in line to talk to someone about what was taking so long.

After that, came time to pay. Someone had closed out the order already, so I had to stand and wait still longer while they figured out how to fix that. Then proceeded to charge me full price.

The only person to apologize was the one person there who didn't even know how to cash out a to go order.

When Taco Bell has better customer service and cares more about their customers then a proper sit down Mexican restaurant, something is wrong.

Suffice it to say I don't think we'll...