El Tapatio — Restaurant in Payson

EDIT 3/26/2024 My first couple of visits to this little place went pretty well, but since then, the service has suffered dramatically. The food is still good, so this review isn't a knock on that. If you want more than one bowl of chips before your meal, you'll have to pay for it. They are only serving one "complimentary" bowl of chips. I don't know about you, but half of my reason for going to Mexican dining is for the chips and salsa. This trip left me longing for Joe Banditos. The road out front is currently under construction, but that isn't the reason for my knock on their atmosphere. The atmosphere looks like it's somewhere between being condemned and being worked on. It would be nice if they put a little effort into the decor, so I didn't feel like I was dining in an abandoned building with bare wires everywhere. A little effort here would go a long way, both in atmosphere and in service. Might be a while before we come back to El Tapatio. End Edit

We LOVE LOVE LOVE El Tapatio! Always on the lookout for good, new, Mexican food, we were recommended by some friends to try this place out. They said, "Get the Pinapple Fajitas! You won't regret it!" They couldn't have been more right! This easily serves two people and comes with a choice of chicken, steak, or shrimp. We usually do a combo with chicken and steak! I should warn you, you'll be back! There isn't a ton of seating, but we've never had a problem getting right in. The service is quick and friendly. This quickly became our favorite place to eat, even though it's a bit of a drive for us. Totally worth it! I wish I could comment on the other items on the menu, but the Pineapple Fajitas is the only thing...

El Tapatio in Payson is an absolute hidden gem. From the outside, it might look like a small hole-in-the-wall spot—but walk inside and you’re greeted with a spacious vaulted dining area buzzing with energy, sizzling food, and the unmistakable scent of authentic Mexican cooking.

The theme here is fresh. The tortillas? Homemade. The salsa? Honestly one of the best I’ve ever had. Every bite—from the chips to the entrées—tasted like it had just come off a home kitchen stove. I ordered their signature piña dish with steak and chicken, served inside a hollowed pineapple. I’ve had variations of this dish before, but nothing compares to this flavor profile. Juicy, tender meats. Bright, balanced veggies. A touch of sweetness and tang from the pineapple. It’s a huge portion—next time we’ll likely share one and just add more tortillas.

Service was just as impressive as the food. Our server never let our water or drinks dip below halfway, and they kept our chip and salsa baskets full without us needing to ask. That kind of attentiveness is rare and appreciated.

Despite a full house on a weekday, the staff kept everything running smoothly. It’s clearly a locals’ favorite, and now it’s at the top of my list too.

There’s definitely some quirk to the place. You won’t find high-end decor or polished finishes—the cooking area is framed by plywood and brackets—but to me, that just adds to the charm. It tells you everything you need to know: this place is about the food.

Parking can be a bit tight, but it’s on historic Main Street, which makes for a great post-dinner stroll.

Authentic, generous, flavorful, and welcoming. El Tapatio deserves every bit of...

We had a group of 6 people. Got a table right away at 5:30. They brought out Chips and Salsa right away which was nice. The chips were very heavy, but the salsa was pretty good. Not very spicy, but all in all OK. Our group placed our order and we all talked and ate chips and salsa. Finally, at 6:00 they brought out one order for one of our group. That person did not want to start eating until the rest of the party got served, but after 10 minuets decided it would get too cold. That was when the next part received their order. Then 5 minutes later, two more in our party received their order. My wife and I had ordered the pineapple fajitas and continued to patiently wait. At 6:30, we finally got the attention of a different waitress and asked why we still had not received out meal. She checked and came back and apologized, and then brought out a plate of rice and beans. We waited another 10 minutes and they finally brought out the fajitas in the pineapple dish, but by now, all the rest of our party had finished their meal. They had also failed to bring the flour tortillas. We started eating it out of the shell with our forks while we waited. We had asked two different waitresses but none seemed to care much. Finally, when we were over half finished, they brought them at 7:00. There was no apology or any reduction in price, and they did not seem to care at all. Two people in our party said their food was below par. Two said it was pretty good. And ours was also unique and I liked it. Buttttttt, I will never go back!!! Not being served together and being completely ignored ruined everything. NEVER go there...