El Paso Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Springfield

Our first public dining in a restaurant since March of 2020! A delightful evening at El Paso. My companions were both raised in San Diego and say that the wonderful aroma and flavors of the food remind them very much of some of the best Mexican restaurants in SD. First, the place was clean and on the busy side. Outside tables under their large pavilion were well spaced and folks were having a great time out there. We opted to go inside. While it was busy, and operating at 100% according to the hostess (no longer limited capacity), they were careful to seat customers at booths and tables that so that all of the floor space was used to spread out diners. The table was wiped with a sanitizer cloth before we sat down. We did not note if the plastic coated menus had been wiped down (but we brought in had sanitizer and used it once we placed our order. Wait and support staff all wore facemasks. The food. Delicious. Simple, good well flavored Mexican food. The chips were crisp and warm, served with a medium spicy red salsa. They came with very little salt. Salt and other such condiments (like sour cream on the side) were all serviced in single serve packets, no common salt or pepper shakers, no portion cups to hold condiments and sauces (except the salsa for the chips.) Appetizer of carne asada over French fries with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, queso fresco, and sliced roasted jalapenos was great. Just like nachos, but substantial. a cool appetizer idea that hit the spot. The carne asada entry was seasoned and grilled to perfection. the beans and rice were plentiful and good. The beef filling in three hard taco shells was delicious. the lettuce and pico de gallo was fresh and nicely spiced. So then the test... what about special requests? Handled with no problem at all! When we ordered a "Jose's Super Burrito" but asked for the Baja Fish and accompaniments that went into their fish tacos... the answer was "We can do that." and besides being really HUGE, the burrito was magnificent in its taste. Three good size adult dinners plus appetizers plus beverages (no alcohol) cost right at $50. A good value for enough food that we took home two boxes. Fresh chips were offered for our left overs, if we wanted. El Paso didn't loose any of its previous quality and is still a great place for traditional San Diego style Mexican food. We...

May 19, 2023, I consumer lunch at El Paso Mexican located in Springfield, VA. I ordered a vegetarian selection Jose’s Super Veggie Quesadilla. This veggie Quesadilla included flour tortilla stuffed with cheese, spinach, onions, peppers, and mushrooms served with a side order of pico de gallo, sour cream, rice and black beans. I got halfway through my meal and been experiencing shortness of breath. Afterward, I was suffering from chest pains. I thought I was having a heart attack. While my friend paid the bill I went outside to get fresh air and hoped that would make me feel better. Instead it went down hill from there. My stomach felt extremely uncomfortable like it was going to burst. Standing up and sitting down also felt uncomfortable. I began feeling really hot and nausea. I began vomiting and thought it would never stop. After I stop vomiting I felt a little better. After arriving home I literally had to run into my home to use the bathroom. I had a diarrhea explosion. After the vomiting and diarrhea explosion I felt much better. I assumed my food went through a process of food cross contamination while being prepared. I assumed my veggies were allegedly cooked in old grease, chicken grease or even pork grease, because I was experiencing vomiting and diarrhea. This usually happens to me when I’ve been food poising. This was my second time eating at this establishment. My first experience the food was delicious and my waiter was super friendly that I tipped her $30. This time my experience was frightening and concerning. I am writing this review in hope of this establishment seeing this review to assure that this does not happen to anyone else. This was definitely my last time...

Awful food! I tried this place because Uncle Julio's sucks and this place consistently got good reviews.

I ordered the Jose super burrito. It was quite large (think the width and depth of 2 normal burritos). However it sucks that they forced you to order it with a meat and there was no option to make it only with vegetables. I got it with grilled chicken and I couldn't believe how dessicated and unseasoned and huge the chicken pieces were. The chicken pieces were like 4 x 7 cm and there was so much of it. Ugh.

Rice and beans tasted like nothing. There was no guacamole, just sparing chunks of avocado. Sparing sour cream. Way too much rice. The enchilada sauce the burrito was toped with was clearly from a can and was really the strangest orange I've ever seen for an enchilada sauce (think brighter than an orange bell pepper). It tasted like watered down tomato puree and was really hard to eat. The cheese melted over it tasted like nothing and I'm pretty sure it was just some bad quality mozzarella.

I got some tortilla chips and salsa. Tortilla chips were hard (like break a tooth hard) and not at all salted. The salsa was the only thing that was fresh and was okay.

What's REALLY off putting is that they allowed people to bring their filthy dogs (not service animals) to the restaurant. Really doesn't help their image of it looking like a very run down place in an already shady neighborhood. Thank God I didn't dine in.

Will never torture myself to try another dish at this place again.

P.S. they charge a fee to place an online order and their website is super rudimentary, but considering how bare bones the place was, it's commendable they even...