El Manzanillo Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in North Carolina

UPDATE TO REPLY FROM OWNER! How embarrassing it must be for you to have a server lie to you about the incident especially if you were not there on Tuesday, (9/13/2022) night about 6:30 -7:00. My friend that brought me there, A witness & regular customer as well as a retired Navy Captain who served for 42 years! By the name of Captain Robert Eugene (Gene) Johnson, also President of the Cherokee County police force auxiliary, was embarrassed and felt bad for me and witnessed the nasty day old or whatever that was disguised as an enchilada, after one small bite (which I spit in a napkin) Gene flagged the waiter over. I told the waiter, Verbatim, "that was the worst cheese enchilada I have ever had. That it tasted like cardboard stuffed with very little cheese." I even showed him the hard to tear thing stuff with barely any cheese and told him to taste it. He said nothing as he took it back. As it was he got my soda only to forget Gene's tea until he came back to take our order and gene reminded him. There were only 2 tables occupied, counting us! His food was just taco meat only, no shell or soft shell, just tossed on top of the rice & Beans. A huge pile of mess... Gene was surprised, but too much of a gentleman to say anything to waiter. It was not what he ordered. We decided to order dessert however b4 we could, the waiter told us the bill was at the register... Then I said to him that we wanted to order dessert... I ordered The "flan" and he ordered fried ice cream neither of which looked anything like the photo on menu and "flan was bland" and cracked up. I didn't finish it. It was just ok. The bill was $30+ ! Now tell me, even tho I'd never been there b4 then, that you actually believe said employee over a not only regular customer, but a respected and highly decorated Navy Captain of 42 YEARS and currently a serving officer of this County?!! You may indeed "make everything up fresh" but even "fresh" fish stink after 3 days!

P.S. I love Mexican food. I have eaten at several Mexican places over 50 years! I know what's good and what's not. Too bad you're not authentic.

I am insulted that you think I just made my previous review up and that I didn't bring it to the waiters attention!? I call it like I see it. That guy is a boldface liar and all who worked that night was well aware of the incident. Shame on him!

1st review below.

Stay away from the cheese enchiladas. They're obviously pre-made like eating cheese filled cardboard. The refried beans were good of course she can't mess them up. The flange was disappointing as well. And the service not so hot either. I was recommended to this place because it was so good but I don't plan on going back ever. My sick authentic fresh made Mexican food...

10JUL19 Had the dish that had chili Colorado and chili verde I rate it a 5 star !

7AUG19 This is the second time I have been here. The food was great ! I was left a ticket that had ZERO prices listed. Had to take the ticket to the counter. (this may be the norm as the first visit nothing was weird). The person at the register quickly ran up a charge and announced it was $87.43 for two adults and one child during lunch. I said 'noway' and asked for the bill back and a menu. The guy at the register then ignored my request and punched again more numbers and said the charge was $65.21. I guess my facial expression was weird due to the recalculation because he began to perform a third calculation of $58.29. He then asked 'Is that okay with me. I said okay and gave him my card and left as it was near what I thought it should have cost. I was bothered by this first over charge then under charge after being caught ripping off the customer.

I looked on line and found the menu and prices. The first charge was a classic ripoff charge. I can not understand the composure of the guy when he kept recalculation charges. Enclosed is what I should have paid. The owners should be concerned. I am now a local.

8AUG22. Re-read this review and see my receipt is missing from the pictures I uploaded. Shame on who ever demanded it...

Omgoodness!! Come here and eat!! This was a last minute Google search to find a place to eat. Thank goodness for Google right. We were like looking through the photos and saw a pineapple and we had to come here. BEST DECISION!!!! We were greeted and seated within a minute of entering on a Saturday night. If it wasn't for covid I think the wait would have been a few min at least to get in.. Great music and vibes going. Super cool place with outdoor eating. Has a bar too. (We don't drink, but for review purposes, the more info the better) very friendly wait staff, and food came out so quickly! We had our 5 children with us and we didn't have to wait forever for our food! Thank you! We all loved everything we ordered, food was fantastic, great portions, the kids burger was huge and my pineapple was amazing! Great flavors and food was hot fresh. My chicken was not shredded with bones and lots of fat in it. Real honest to goodness chicken strips. We really appreciate how quick we got in and out.. We live 1.5 hours away and I am already ready to come back to try another dish or the same one haha. Yall have to give this place a try for sure! Come with...