El Charro Bar And Restaurant — Restaurant in Ringgold

Last night, I had the pleasure of dining at the new El Charro Bar and Restaurant, and I must say, the experience was impressive from start to finish! Upon arriving, I was initially a bit skeptical, as the parking lot was fairly empty. In my experience, a quiet lot often hints at an underwhelming atmosphere or lackluster food. But I was hungry, craving Mexican food, and decided to trust my instinct to give it a try. I’m so glad I did!

Walking inside, I was immediately struck by the unique ambiance—a charming blend of restaurant and sports bar, tastefully designed with authentic touches of Mexican culture. The decor struck a perfect balance: vibrant and genuine without feeling overwhelming. From the colors and wall art to the subtle decorations, music, and even the table covers, everything reflected the warmth and vibrancy of Mexican culture, sparking my excitement to taste their food.

Being from Southern California and El Paso, Texas, I know how hard it can be to find authentic Mexican flavors here in Tennessee. So when our friendly hostess promptly greeted us and seated us, my anticipation grew. The evening’s special was margaritas, and with tempting flavor options, I couldn’t resist trying both the mango and strawberry margaritas. The menu offered a diverse selection, but one item caught my eye: Tacos de Papa—a childhood favorite that took me back to cherished memories of sharing this dish with my father. I added rice and beans to my order, knowing these staples would reveal just how authentic and flavorful this place truly was. My girlfriend opted for the chicken taco salad.

As we sipped our margaritas, which were as delicious as they looked, we were brought a complimentary basket of chips and salsa—an ideal pairing that amplified the laid-back, welcoming vibe of El Charro. It was beginning to feel like we had stumbled upon a hidden gem. To our surprise, Angel, the owner and chef, stopped by our table, introduced himself, and welcomed us warmly. His friendliness and passion for his restaurant added such a personal touch to our experience. He shared that El Charro was just a few months old—a detail that only added to the sense of discovery.

Then, the moment of truth arrived: our food. Presented beautifully, the dishes looked every bit as good as I had hoped. But, of course, taste is what matters most, and El Charro did not disappoint. My Tacos de Papa transported me back to my childhood with each bite, and the rice and beans were as flavorful and comforting as the ones my mom used to make. My girlfriend, who rarely takes leftovers, couldn’t finish her chicken taco salad but loved it so much that she asked for a to-go box.

In short, our visit to El Charro was an absolute delight, from the warm welcome and authentic atmosphere to the incredible food and drinks. Angel and his team have created something truly special here, and we’re thrilled to have discovered it. This is a place we’ll definitely return to, and we look forward to seeing it flourish. Thank you, Angel, and the El Charro team, for a memorable evening and for making us feel...

I regret that I have the need to downgrade my original rating from a 5-star to a 3-star. It may actually deserve lower. Let me explain... I originally loved everything about this restaurant. I felt like based on the traffic flow observed that they may not make it long term despite the great food, great service and great decor. The hand painted furnishings are beautiful! However, the last visit on 5/15 has me really worried about their future. The food portions have definitely changed dramatically. I ordered steak fajitas. The meat and vegetable portion was reduced at least 33%. What is more startling is that the beans and rice portions were reduced around 75%. These are the basic and least expensive items but I love them! The salad portion was reduced about 50% and the scoop of guacamole was missing. A hint of sour cream was present and that is a generous description. Then there is the Diego Salsa. I never had to pay for a small serving but yesterday I was charged $2.00 for a miniscule amount. I wouldn't have paid had I known about the rest of the food order being so diminutive. The other thing about the salsa is that the older lady that I believe is part of ownership is the one that didn't charge me. It was a different person that charged me but the other lady was present during the transaction. I am going to post a photo of the salsa container for reference. I'm really disappointed and I don't know if I'll be back. I do hope that they can return to previous business practices no matter what I decide. We have seven Mexican restaurants in the vicinity but this was by far my favorite and it kept me from going to Dalton or...

From the moment we walked in, the owners made us feel right at home. They were incredibly kind and helpful, ensuring we had everything we needed throughout our meal. The restaurant itself was spotless, which made for a very pleasant dining atmosphere.

We started with the rice and beans, which were full of flavor and a perfect accompaniment to our meal. The shrimp and steak tacos were absolutely to die for—especially with the homemade corn tortillas that added the perfect touch. And let’s not forget the salsa—simply fabulous, with just the right amount of kick!

Overall, we had an amazing experience and would highly recommend El Charro to anyone looking for great Mexican food. Can’t...