El Cerro Tacos 2 — Restaurant in Swansboro

Restaurant Review: El Cerro Tacos in Swansboro, North Carolina

If you're searching for a taste of Southern California in the heart of Swansboro, look no further than El Cerro Tacos. This hidden gem perfectly captures the authentic essence of SoCal, both in its charming decorations and its mouthwatering, all prepared in-house homemade food. From the moment I stepped through the doors, I felt like I had been transported to a vibrant taqueria on the streets of Los Angeles.

Let's start with the star of the show: the Quesabirria tacos. Prepare to have your taste buds blown away, because these were hands down the best I've ever had! The combination of succulent, perfectly seasoned shredded beef, gooey melted cheese, and the crisped tortillas soaked in rich, flavorful consommé created a culinary masterpiece that left me craving more. Each bite was a symphony of flavors that danced on my palate, a true testament to the culinary expertise of El Cerro Tacos' kitchen.

What truly sets this restaurant apart is not just the exceptional food, but also the remarkable staff. From the moment I arrived, the attentive, professional, and extremely friendly servers made me feel right at home. Their passion for the cuisine and dedication to providing an unforgettable dining experience was evident in their every interaction. And let's not forget the kitchen staff, whose culinary prowess shone through in every dish that graced my table.

One delightful aspect of El Cerro Tacos is the staff members' beautifully themed tattoos, adding an extra touch of character to the overall ambiance. It's these little details that contribute to the warm and inviting atmosphere of the restaurant, making it a place where you can truly relax and enjoy your meal.

To complement their outstanding menu, El Cerro Tacos also boasts a full bar, ensuring you can quench your thirst with a refreshing beverage of your choice. Whether you're in the mood for a classic margarita or an innovative craft cocktail, their skilled bartenders will craft a drink that perfectly complements your meal.

In conclusion, a visit to El Cerro Tacos is an absolute must for anyone craving an authentic taste of Southern California in Swansboro. From the moment you step inside, you'll be transported to a place where the decor and atmosphere perfectly complement the delicious homemade food. The Quesabirria tacos alone are worth the visit, but the exceptional staff and full bar truly make this restaurant a hidden gem. You simply cannot go wrong by choosing to dine at El...

This was my first and last visit here. I noticed on their menu they didn't have a standard option for two enchiladas with rice and beans. So I called before placing it to go order to ask if they were able to do that or not. No hard feelings if they couldn't, but they told me yes they could. So I called back about 15 minutes later to place my to-go order. I ordered two orders of just two chicken enchiladas with rice and beans and specifically stated no lettuce or tomato or anything on top. When I went to go pick up my order, there was no rice and beans and there was two orders of enchiladas with four in each container with lettuce tomato and sour cream. When I brought them back they inform me that they were not able to do two chicken enchiladas. So I was told not once, but twice they would be able to do that and then they make my food and tell me they can't do it. Ultimately we end up going with just one order with four enchiladas in it and a side order of rice and beans and I got refunded for the other order of enchiladas. While that was a fair outcome, I still think it's absolutely crazy that two people would tell me they can do it only for my food to be completely wrong and the third person tell me they can't do it. When I got home to eat the food was only average and really not worth trying again. I would rather drive an extra 15 minutes and go to mi Cabana on piney Green for much better food and exactly...

We like El Cerro and we aren’t going to stop going since they’re the only taco place in Swansboro. But, like seriously I wish they didn’t treat us like the captive audience we are. The food is good but the situation inside of the restaurant is nothing short of chaos. When we call ahead, we are often given a long wait time even though we typically order around 5pm, which for most places beats the rush. Anyway no big deal!

The problem usually arrives once we arrive at the restaurant. The food is only ready occasionally. Typically we are still left waiting. The staff seem so disorganized and they seem ready to pass the buck. Half the time arrival goes like this, “I’m here to get order *” and they’re like, “uhh?” They then proceed to talk to others, did you place an order for *?! Then the figure it out and you’re stuck waiting with the other disappointed souls at the bar. My husband has talked to a DoorDash (or some other service) drivers at the bar and he expressed his frustration with the constant waits, he even said he feels compelled to take them to keep his scores up, but he has gotten bad reviews on his part because of the wait times.

We have also eaten in restaurant but that can go bust too, like the time over the summer with the A/C was busted and they sat people without warning on their door.

I really wish they’d do better. We’d go more. The food is good. The interior is comfortable and...