El Tango Taqueria
(216) 226-9999
14224 Madison Ave
Lakewood,
OH
44107
41.4772
-81.7931
Reviews & Ratings for El Tango Taqueria
27 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 27 reviews
Great Food, High Prices
by britk07
May 19, 2009
I'm sad to see so many people write bad reviews of this place because I had a great experience. I hadn't been there before, so I asked the man behind the counter (think he was the owner) what he recommended, which was the California Lime Avocado Burrito, so I ordered one with chicken and the Vanilla Limeade. Both were fantastic. The burrito was HUGE (made Chipotle's look small) and was filled to bursting. I felt ill by the end because I just couldn't put my fork down! And the Vanilla Limeaid was delicious, though really sweet, so brace yourself. It bummed me out that the only pop offered was in cans, because I tend to drink a lot at meals, but the limeade was pretty large, so I made due. I would say it's really more Californian Mexican rather than authentic Mexican, but I actually prefer those flavors, so I was happy. The dining room's pretty small, so ordering take out might be a good idea and parking is very limited, so beware. Overall it was a great experience and I hope that I don't have any of the problems in the future other people had, because I fully intend on going back!
- Pros: Huge Burrito, Very Fresh
- Cons: Parking, Prices, No Beverage Refills, Limited Seating
Shame
by Uzi
April 29, 2009
It is sad that after a customer for 5+ years I was told by the cowboy owner the well get the __ out!! A few weeks ago the owner instructed his cook to to stop using plates for server tacos and to place them in paper line, plastic baskets in order to save money. Yes, I'm sure it save money but it truly takes away from the wonderful food that he makes. Given that a taco is almost $4 this is not a freaking taco bell, nor other fast food joint.
I came in to tell him what my feeling of the baskets and paper were and he did not want to hear it... I brought me own plate to eat off of and he was mad... It is his business and he can surely run it as he wishes, but what's sad is he did not care about my opinion, just trying to tell me it all about saving water.
So ends a 5+ year relationship. I will miss the cook Mr. G.T.
- Pros: Good Food
- Cons: Owner!!!
Maybe Not Having an Liquor License Keeps His Temper Under Control...
by ANealSchneider
February 13, 2009
The only reason I am taking the time to review this restaurant is because my experience was THAT BAD. The problems involved are threefold:
1) the manager does not know how to respect customers or deal with them in a civilized manner and
2) they refuse to even provide water and offer only a handful of canned sodas.
3) if A=A, a taco is a taco - they should not be 3 or 5 dollars.
I went to Tango Taqueria with a friend, and after spending $25 on tortilla chips, 2 tacos, and a burrito, we decided it would be best to purchase a jug of water from the convenience store down the road rather than having to buy another bottle of water whenever we ran out. I drink a LOT of water. Apparently, because the owner mysteriously cannot come into possession of a liquor license, it is supposed to be common knowledge that BYOB is acceptable but any other liquids are not. After we went and purchased water elsewhere, and were waiting for our food, the manager came over and started yelling at us. Since his policy on beverages is basically "fend for yourself" we didn't even know there would be a problem. Instead of asking us not to bring anything but liquor next time, he simply started screaming at us. It was absurd. We had to ask for our food to go and it was all very awkward and inappropriate. The food really isn't bad, but I will never return knowing that the owner really does not care about customer satisfaction, but only milking them for all their worth. For those who would claim that this is my fault, and not that of the owner, I would ask you to provide justification for any restaurant owner who cannot provide paying customers with ice water and does not respect them enough to refrain from verbally assaulting them.
Overall:
Atmosphere: Pleasant
Food: OK
Prices: Not Worth It
Management: HA!
Decent "Californian" Restaurant in Cleveland
by clevelandtransplant
January 08, 2009
Firstly I would consider this place more Californian than Mexican. The dishes are tasty but overpriced in my opinion. I like the fact that they serve 3 kinds of salsa instead of just 1. I don't really want to pay over $10 for a burrito, granted it is a lot of food but it would be cheaper and just as good at a more authentic Mexican place. The food does seem very fresh though. Also if you want a coke, do not expect refills as they are only served in cans.
The service is not the greatest as they forgot to bring out our chips and salsa before our meal. It is also a little cramped during peak hours. The ambience is nice and a good place for a date, but probably not for kids.
- Pros: Fresh tasting food and good ambience
- Cons: Overpriced and inconsistent service
Amazing food so stop complaining!
by stopwhiningyouidiots
December 30, 2008
Some of you people need to stop whining. Good lord. This is the best Mexican food on the near west side -- we eat there probably once a week and have never witnessed any of the things you say supposedly happened during your visit there. El Tango's food is amazing, reasonably priced and head and shoulders above the competition. The vanilla limeade alone makes it worth a trip, let alone the food. I think I could probably eat the salsas alone as a meal -- and the tomato lime soup is heavenly. Even if you hate sweet potatoes, the tequila lime sweet potatoes will have you salivating for more. In short, this restaurant is amazing, and people like you are the reason why we can't have nice things in Cleveland.
- Pros: Ambience, food
- Cons: Parking
Rude and classless by Wayne B. at InsiderPages
Contributor
October 27, 2008
We went to this restaurant and let me tell you, I would rather eat dog food off of a homeless man's belly than eat here again. After the owner wiped his nose with his bare hand and went back to cooking someone's food (as it wasn't mine, I was only there 15 minutes at that point) I thought, maybe he'll get better by the time he gets to my order. Well, between him being gross and disgusting, he was staring at my wife. Not just looking at her, but undressing her in a way that made her feel violated. I politely told him that I was leaving and wouldn't need my order to be made, but he told me it was nearly done. After overhearing the chef say to the owner I stirred this with my (umm...male appendage?) we got out of there.
Dog said No! by Jim D. at InsiderPages
Contributor
October 26, 2008
El Crapo Craperia is the worst alleged mexican food I have ever come across. I ordered take-out and saved myself the trouble of listening to the owner yell at his employees. When I got home the food was cold and someone or something had taken a bite out of my burrito! I was so disgusted that I gave it the burrito to my dog. But even my dog refused to eat it, and he eats his own poop!
Outrageous policy
by bunhu
October 08, 2008
Upon spending over $10 for food AND a beverage, my daughter requested a glass of water (in addition to her lemonade) with her meal, my daughter was refused any water. She really needed some water and so she decided to get some water from the ladies bathroom to take a pill. The manager came out and threatened to throw her and her friends off the premises unless she gave up her cup of water. Note - her friends had also spent almost 10 each so they were not deadbeat customers or loitering.
I think this is shameful and in very bad form for a restaurant to refuse a paying customer a glass of water, especially when the customer had already purchased a beverage.
I consider this type of treatment just as indicative and important as the food and service when assessing a restaurant or any other type of establishment.
We will never eat at this restaurant, again.
B Hudson
- Pros: none
- Cons: unreasonable service policies
The best burrito I've EVER had!
by shakesomeaction
May 12, 2008
My fiance and I ate here for the first time this past weekend. We'd heard nothing but great things about the food but no one told us what do do when we walked in so we kind of just stood there looking confused! Luckily the drill was explained to us by a man who I assumed was the owner. He was really friendly and upbeat, which usually annoys me but not here--his enthusiasm seemed sincere and genuine. We were slightly disappointed to find out that they didn't serve alcohol, but I had the iced tea and it was absolutely delicious. Now that we know it's BYOB, I'm sure we'll be taking advantage of that! The decor was really unique and interesting, and we liked the fact that the dining area was small and UNcrowded (Saturday night at 6:30pm, and we were the only ones in the dining room, though several groups came in for carryout while we were there)
I ordered the California Avocado-Lime burrito with fish. It was the absolute best burrito in the entire world. I'm a Chipotle nut, but I'm not sure I can go back there now after eating this burrito! I'm still dreaming about it, and probably will until I go back and eat another one!
When we left, the three employees who were there gave us a friendly thank you and good night, as if we had been coming there every day for years. It was really nice. I definitely recommend it.
- Pros: friendly service, fresh food, short wait time
- Cons: no parking lot
If you like Flies, you will love this place!
Contributor
May 01, 2008
My experience at this place was horrible. My friend took me there, swearing it would become my new favorite restaurant. I actually do really love Mexican food, but I have to say this was the worst, ever! We sat at the counter by the window, and there were so many flies that I lost my appetite. I mean, there were hundreds of them just swarming around the brightly lit Neon signs. It was a warm night, so they had the doors propped open, for all the bugs to enter. Gross. I will never, ever return! Save your money. I would never recommend this place.
