El Speedy Vaquero — Restaurant in Springfield

I am not sure if it is because I have enjoyed many authentic Mexican meals, but I was completely let down by this establishment. We took our mother here for an early Mother's Day dinner on Friday the 12th. We were a table of 5, all adults. 1st of all, It took a long time for our server to address our table. When I inquired about an adult beverage that was on the menu, I was told that he had no clue about the drinks and that he did not make the drinks and there was bar tender until 5 pm. It was about 4 pm, by this time. I just said forget it, and I ordered the pork carnita dinner. I have had authentic pork carnitas, and I was so looking forward to having this dinner. After eating 2 baskets of chips and drinking all my water. Finally our food arrived. My dish was served very hot. However, my pork looked like it had been dehydrated. I tasted it, and it was SO DRY and so hard. No flavor at all. I then tasted my cheese enchilada, and it was very cheesy, but the enchilada sauce was flavorless. The beans were nothing to brag about, and the rice was red rice, zero flavor there as well.

I got the servers' attention as he was leaving another table. (He had not even stopped earlier to ask how our food was.) I asked him why the pork was ldry hard and flavorless. He looked at me very confused. I asked him how the pork was prepared. He said it was deep-fried. I was shocked. Who deep fries pork carnitas?!?!?! I told him that it was not as described in the menu, and he said they do cook it like described, and then they deep fry it. I told him no, that it was not good. He seemed put off. Asked me if I wanted something else (I should have just opted out of any replacement), I told him I wanted the pork not deep-fried. So off he went into the kitchen. Our whole party of 5 finished our meals, and I was still waiting on my pork replacement. Finally, after what seemed like 20 mins. My pork arrived that looked boiled... I tasted it. It was not hard, and there was some orange flavor, but it was dry and boiled tasting. We all sat at the table waiting for our server. My dad remarked that the bar was now open, and I passed on that. My mom and others wanted dessert, so we were waiting. We arrived around 3:20-3:45pm and were still there after 5 pm. Finally, our server arrived, I asked for a box for the meat, and we ordered our dessert. My mother ordered flan(said she has had much better), and my sister in law and I ordered the fried ice cream. When the server returned with the desserts, he gave them to the wrong people, and I had to request a box again. The fried ice cream was not very good. The shells tasted old, and the coating on the ice cream was not warm and was stale tasting as well.

I have eaten Mexican food all over the USA and in Mexico. What they serve as pork carnitas is NOT right at all.

Also, their service is NOT speedy, and the ladies at the front of the restaurant were way too busy chatting to each other to come to the register and allow us to check out. We did not get to leave till after 5:30 closer to 6 pm. Normally, I take photos of the food ordered. However, I was so let down by the food that I just spaced it.

Oh, 1st time here and last time as well. Bad bad bad...

We went here last night for my birthday dinner. They weren’t busy - which is totally fine since we are quiet diners, anyway. Our waiter was friendly enough, but we could barely hear him over the only other table in the restaurant (which had four obnoxiously drunk people at it). The chips were cold and salsa was obviously watered down. The menus were wet and sticking together. We could hear the staff laughing and yelling in the kitchen. I know it’s toward the end of the night, but come on.

My partner’s food was bland at best. His taco had nothing in it but unseasoned beef that had turned mostly to mush. No lettuce, cheese, or anything else. His other items were two different sized tortillas that were filled only with the same beef mush and smothered in red sauce.

I had the veggie burrito, which was tasteless and consisted mostly of overcooked green peppers. The drunks continued to carry on and for some reason were still being served alcohol.

The only good thing about last night’s dinner was a delicious flan decorated with chocolate sauce and whipped cream for my big day. This plus the waiter gets the restaurant their star. After reading all of the great reviews, we were very...

I don't get out much so we didn't even know this restaurant was here. Yet now that we know, this is the 4th visit and must say that the place is clean, the service is very attentive, the volume of food per dollar is noteworthy, the menu is outrageously tempting (the food comes out as good as the photos show). It may not be the best photo on the menu but I suggest trying that shrimp enchilada dish. At first you might notice all the cheese sauce, but trust me you'll leave not a drop or remnant of food behind. There was so much shrimp that not one bite of food lacked in seafood. Yesterday's visit was so perfect that all three of us left with conversation of how we hope this restaurant will survive the present township's rulers' dictates; today my mother and I were left so stuffed that a to-go box was necessary and I'm now finished with the remainders at 10pm. 5 stars. If I could offer some constructive criticism, the hamburger ought not to be so bland nor so finely ground so as to stay authentic with texture. Oh yeah, the salsa would be more awesome if it had a bit more green spice and maybe some large chunks with less...