El Nopal - Mall St. Matthews — Restaurant in St. Matthews

The food was good. The service was subpar, at best, and the drinks... well I hate to say this, but this location is absolutely the worst el nopal I have ever experienced! We love el nopal, you know exactly what you’re getting, the service is typically wonderful and the food is good. Our experience inside this location, well let’s just say we found it lacking. The Modelo drafts we ordered were flat, the queso we ordered was never brought out, the server took quite a while to check on us in the first place, or often for that matter and when I ordered sides for my main course those were not brought out either. My food was cold by the time I got to eat it. (Location was not busy by the way, we all know the capacity level el nopal locations everywhere see regularly) A tad odd, but their spicy salsa didn’t seem (or taste) like the salsas at any other location nor did it look like it. I asked the server for a cup to put the rest of my margarita in, and she said that wasn’t allowed because I didn’t order online or over the phone. Not certain on the laws as with the pandemic or recent change in them, but seriously?! After the not perfect and incredibly underwhelming dinner we had... you can’t bring me a damn cup and walk away..? Could’ve been for the soda for all you “knew”. I’m incredibly disappointed. After all the issues we had (swear we are not complaining people, I would write a good review and nothing for a bad experience, but the overall tone of this dinner for us UGH) they did nothing to make up for our frustrations. We will not return to...

I gave five stars for atmosphere because the place is wonderfully decorated, so much color, so much of the culture on exhibit, and it's everywhere. It's unfortunate not all El Nopal's are decorated so nice. Some of them look like the cafeteria at the elementary school,....i.e.: HP, Blnknbaker, ...., anyway, the only thing that would have made this six stars would be a mariachi band. The service received four stars - while everyone was professional and attentive the language barrier sometimes interferes with getting the order correct - for instance, vegetables instead of rice as the side... And then giving the change request to someone who never got that communicated to the right people. Other than that, wonderful people and very nice. The food was of generous portions, well prepared, great flavor, HOWEVER, my chicken breast had been flattened to the point that it was very very tough lacked moisture and was difficult to even chew. A chicken breast should be plump juicy full of flavor and easy to cut through. Everything else at our table was prepared well and delicious to all. When shopping at the Mall St. Matthews, definitely consider this place for a margarita cold beer your choice of cocktails and some good to great Mexican food. Good job you guys thank you,...

We dine in or take out regularly. Last night I popped in and ordered dinner for three to go. Had chips, salsa and 2 - 12 oz margaritas for 7.00 (daily drink special) while I waited for my order. Not much to the margaritas but I wasn’t expecting much as they were the special-O-the day. Server was friendly. Menu was wet and dirty inside-yuck. Meals were fine but was given one sm/med size bag of chips with 2 to go cups. Skimpy for three to share. When I tried to use my 5.00 coupon I was told that because I had the drink special I couldn’t use the coupon. I thought that was a little cheesy. Bill came to 42.00 plus 10.00 tip. I really like the location but it’s probably time to try...