El Charrito Restaurant — Restaurant in Scottsbluff

I've been going to el Charrito since the 80's. I was recently in Scottsbluff and had always told my wife that the best Mexican food around was right there in the Panhandle.

We live in Omaha, NE and eat authentic Mexican food regularly from all the 24th St. taquerias and the cities highest rated Family Mexican food joints. Mexican and White owned. Our visit to El Charrito ruined and dining we'll do in Omaha for years. Really, the food was that good to every one of my family members, including my super picky son!

Seriously, I've lived in San Diego, California and other cities with strong Mexican communities, Omaha happens to be one, but the food at El Charrito tops any place we've been in decades.

Most places have never even heard of smothered enchiladas as I've learned in over 20 years of requesting them from the West Coast to Chicago! And the rice? Without question the best I've had. My whole family agreed...Absolutely no after taste and great texture. I should have ordered a large bowl to go!

Like others may mention, the atmosphere isn't fantastic despite a nice face-lift, but the food is worth the price, which is right on course with what we pay in Eastern Nebraska, and will allow you to overlook the decor for certain. I mean $30- $35 bucks for a family of 4 in 2013? Not bad... And I never stress the atmosphere when the food is fantastic and the people are friendly and real. El Charrito seemed to provide those things along with a very satisfying meal.

I notice a few low ratings, and they may have their bad days, but I'd be surprised if the average person isn't very happy with their food and service most of the time. I hadn't been in twenty years but will look forward to the next time I'm in town making el Charritto a must-do.

Someone else mentioned there were no Mexican people working there. We saw at least two young Mexican people in the kitchen so I can rebut that. Not sure if it's minority owned which I would prefer, but it really doesn't matter. The food is great and very authentic tasting.

On a side note, as we were leaving there were quite a few cars starting to build up in the parking lot so it looks like business is doing well. We happened to drive by the competitor on the other side of town near Wal-Mart, who we were also considering, and their parking lot was nearly empty at dinner time on a Thursday night...So it doesn't look like we were alone...

El Charrito is some great...

The worst food I've ever had. All of us got food poisoning!! I even had to go to the hospital it was so bad. Not even close to authentic. One of the staff may at least think to travel to Mexico to know what authentic really is. There was no Pico de Gallo but instead some sort of greasy soupy smelly chili stuff. The meat was not shredded beef but something that looked like cat food. The enchiladas did not have enchilada sauce and the "salsa" came out of a ketchup bottle. The saddest part was many people in town that we talked while looking for a local place to eat told us that this place was the best in town. What a sad experience for those towns people that they think that's the best. I'd give negative stars if I could. Clean up your kitchen!!! People are...

Ordered pick up but had to go in cause the phone was off the hook kept taking me to a voicemail that was full got the food even after tipping they couldn't get the order right. Tried to call and get I corrected and couldn't call the phone was still off the hook so ended getting one med warm enchilada and rice but ordered a combination plate didn't get the taco or tostada also didn't receive the chicken taco ended up with a taco wasn't even made all the way whoever is cooking needs to read the tickets better even tipped thinking we got everything but now we're just not going back I understand it's busy time of year but takes you two seconds to make sure the order is correct better to get orders right then do half...