El Novillero Restaurant — Restaurant in Sacramento

I had high expectations for this restaurant seeing so many good reviews but I was very disappointed soon after arriving. The parking lot is large and the venue appears to be well taken care of and nicely decorated. It was not clear to me once entering the restaurant whether this was a Spanish or Mexican restaurant because the decoration such as posters and the design of the menu feature symbols of Spain (I am half Spaniard half Mexican so trust me, I know!) Also, there was no music playing at all so I did not get to relax or have the music set the mood on the restaurant, all I heard is all the people surrounding me being loud.

The restaurant is supposed to be authentic Mexican food but in reality this was Tex-Mex. I ordered some enchiladas and they used American cheese, the salsas tested like those you find in cans and not make yourself, and the salad on the side had a pickle and ketchup (NO REAL MEXICAN EATS THIS). Although the portion of the food was relatively bigger than in other establishments, it did not justify the high price. I paid 15 dollars for 3 enchiladas. In all honesty, Mexican food does not contain any expensive ingredients so I am unsure how they can charge that amount especially when is obvious they are not making food from scratch. The pricing was the same for all other dishes as far as I could see in the menu. My husband had another dish that required corn tortillas and they were not hand made either. The salsa that is given with the chips upon sitting down was terrible, too much taste of ketchup instead of a actual salsa that has peppers on it...

Another big flaw that I found was the alcoholic beverages limit. They will not serve more than 3 drinks per person. Although I am not a huge drinker myself (especially considering the pricing), I felt that the limit is unnecessary as I am sure many other people would.

The service was not great either. Our server was nice but he forgot about us often. The food took a very long time to arrive, he never checked on us once until I basically called him in and show my credit card to be like "the check please". I understand the place was packed (no idea why), but for the pricing of eating at this establishment I was hoping for a little better.

I would also like to point out that even though the restaurant was fairly busy on the day I went for dinner with my husband, all of the customers where white. This in itself is indicative that if you are looking for authentic Mexican food, you will not...

The short and sweet: Ambiance: 5 stars Service: 5 stars Food: 3.5 stars with an explanation

The summary:

The restaurant itself is gorgeous. You really get the feeling you are dining in a bistro located in Guadalajara or Mexico City. Lots of colors and flair, but not in a pancake house kind of way. it all is just so tastefully done.

The service is the best I've ever had at any restaurant, hands down. Not five seconds after my husband and I empties our complimentary bowl of chips did a server oh-so-silently slip by with another. Our drinks were replaced before they were completely empty. Our server was kind and warm. He also managed to really balance his time with us. He came by to make sure we were satisfied, but didn't constantly bother us while we were trying to enjoy the meal.

The food was okay, pretty good. I ordered the Chuletas de Puerco Ranchero (pork chops w/ potatoes in ranchero sauce). I have to admit that I've never had this dish before, so I'm not sure how it's supposed to taste. It was okay. I mean, I ate enough to fill me up, so it wasn't bad at all. It was just missing... something. I think a little cilantro might have gone a long way.

However, my husband ordered the Carne Asada Fajitas, and raved over them. I can say this, with his dish came fresh tortillas that were too hot to handle when they first came out, and were so chewy and delicious. Yes, I stole some of his tortillas, can you blame me?

Anyway, when I return to El Navillero (and you can bet I will return), I will order something with which I am familiar, so that I can make a fair comparison. I will update my review then because I'm sure this restaurant deserves five stars, I just need to...

Delicious Mexican Food at El Novillero

We were in Sacramento visiting family during a scorching heatwave. No one was in the mood to venture out for lunch. With errands to run, we opted for takeout and discovered El Novillero online. Mexican food was a unanimous decision!

El Novillero stood out on Franklin Boulevard, a bustling street known for its mix of established family businesses and a reputation for crime. Founded by the Davalos couple, Jose and Esperanza, the restaurant is a testament to their 54 years of success (celebrating their anniversary on July 6th this year!).

Stepping inside, I was struck by the authentic decor. The floor tiles, photographs adorning the walls, and arched entryways to the dining area created a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Indecisive about my order, I sought help from a friendly waiter, Jorge. Mentioning it was my first visit, and that I wasn't picky, I requested a "must-try" dish. Jorge, without hesitation, recommended a combination plate with two items, including rice and beans. We also ordered carnitas and chicken soup for a family member who wasn't feeling well.

As we waited for our takeout, we observed a steady stream of families leaving, expressing their appreciation for the delicious lunch.

Twenty minutes later, we were on our way home with a beautifully packed box. Once back, we eagerly dove into the food. Everything - and I mean everything - was bursting with flavor and cooked to perfection.

El Novillero has become a must-visit for a full dine-in experience on our next trip. Next time, I'll come with an empty stomach to explore the...