El Tango Taquerra
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14224 Madison Ave
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
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| Phone: 216.226.9999 |
| Category: 191Non-Smoking,Southwestern,Mexican,Spanish |
| Price Range: $,$$ |
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Reviews of El Tango Taquerra
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Mucho Bueno!!!
This place looks like a little taco stand from the outside, but walk in and you are in a Mexican kitchen. A very enthusiastic staff member will show you the menu and how everything works. You can explore the cozy dining room full of inspiring art and atmospheric lighting while you wait, noshing on hearty chips and excellent homemade salsa- the tomatillo and pineapple salsa is to die for, the cinnamon chipotle is not far behind. Ah, the food arrives and you will not believe your eyes, the servings are so generous and the presentation is awesome. We ordered the grande burrito with shredded beef and red sauce, a breakfast burrito and an amazing shredded beef and cheese quesadilla, they all were so different and so tasty. The combo of sweet and savory, crispy but not charred, was fantastic and we were so happy we came. We are food snobs and eat out all the time, this is hands down the best Mexican I've ever had. Joe is the name of the new chef/manager and he was excited to explain everything for us first-timers. The female server was very accommodating and nice, too. We had never been there before and I'll tell you what, we are now customers for life! I highly recommend this place for everything from a family dinner to a hot date! Oh, and you can bring your own flavor of tequila, they provide the mix- can't wait to bring friends!
Review by Lala from Lakewood posted October 15, 2009
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Superior food / Good people...ALWAYS
I moved to Lakewood just over a year ago and was elated to find El Tango just a hop, skip, and jump away.
First, the food is FANTASTIC. I can personally vouch for about ¾ of the menu items but my personal favs: Snapper Dinner, Pig Dinner, and hand held burritos. Flavors are authentic and original.
Yes you order at the counter and they don’t necessarily have a wait staff but honestly, it doesn’t feel that way. Most of the time they are perfectly content with serving you in the dining room.
The lemon-limeade? Cravable… Especially with some Monte Alban Mezcal!
Review by Steve Yellowstone from Lakewood posted August 20, 2009
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Made With Love
I think that creating great food takes time, and I was not disappointed with the creations here. My date and I arrived for an early dinner and were pleasantly surprised. The chef/owner(?) was gracious and accommodating and brilliant. I didn't particularly like ordering as if I was in a fast food place but the decor and ambiance made up for the wait. I will return to this establishment for more creative food often.
Review by Guest from Lakewood posted August 03, 2008
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EL TANGO KICKS ASS!
Forget what the bitch from Lakewood said, EL TANGO is The Best --PERIOD! I've been to California dozens of times, Texas too. I've had nothing like that which Mr. A. Coyboy makes..
I love the food --just ask in person --most every Wednesday for lunch!
Review by Uzi from Fairview posted August 02, 2008
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They don't seem to want the business...
My boyfriend and I went to El Tango Taqueria this evening, and it was altogether a very disappointing experience. We arrived just after a party of ten had placed their orders. The manager/chef told us that it was going to be a while (he was the only one cooking), so he recommended we order some chips and salsa to tide us over while he prepared the large group's meals. We were prepared to wait, but honestly, close to an hour was just ridiculous. It also didn't help that they got about half of that group's orders wrong, and had to redo them. When our food arrived, it was tasty. We had ordered their vanilla lime/lemonade before we sat down, which we had finished by the time our food arrived. I went to the counter to request refills. The woman who was at the register asked the manager/cook if she could give us more, and he said that they had a single serving policy. The woman told me she could only give me a refill if we paid more, and said that it was this guy's call, because he was the manager.
When I asked to speak to him, he said that it wasn't his call -- the owner had a very strict policy that prohibited refills. I told him that we had been very patient while he tended to the group of ten, but that didn't seem to matter at all. So I got water and styrofoam boxes, packed up our food and left. It's really hard to believe that after we waited so long, they couldn't accomodate us in the slightest. El Tango Taqueria is ALWAYS slow, but tonight was just ridiculous. They don't really seem that focused on getting more help in the kitchen, so they probably shouldn't have seating in the place. But it doesn't matter to me anymore, because after tonight's visit, I'm done with the place. It's not like we asked to have our meal refunded, or anything like that. After almost an hour, I think giving us a refill was the least they could have done. And that's all we were asking for. My advice is to take your business somewhere else where it will be appreciated.
Review by Anonymous from Lakewood posted February 16, 2008
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Too much of a pain.....
Both previous reviews are right on track. When the food is good, it's great. But all too often it's average. If you love a particular ingredient in a dish, don't always count on it showing up there (like the veggies used in the Torta sandwich).
The main issue I've got is the service. First don't expect a standard sit down experience. You order at the counter and then hope there is a table available. If you need anything, there really isn't a wait staff. I can deal with most of this, but here is the big problem, carry out.
Do not expect to come in place an order and and leave with it in 20 minutes. The last time I tried a carry out order I waited 1 hour! This wasn't for anything special, just a veggie Torta and some fish tacos. While I was waiting a customer who had been wise enough to phone her order in showed up. She was told she'd have to wait another 30 minutes, and she exclaimed "But I've waited 45 minutes already"! Unfortunately, this is the norm.
My suggestion would be that you try it at lunch time, or as an early dinner. They are less busy at this hour and it's a much better experience.
Since the food isn't always fantastic, at dinner it's just not worth the trouble.
Review by Anonymous from Lakewood posted February 06, 2007
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WILL NEVER RETURN
Since moving to Lakewood I have dined there off and on over the last few months. Usually they have pitchers of water for customers to drink. The food can be hit or miss but is original and not chain style food.
Went today and ordered, owner/cook/cashier asked me what I wanted to drink. I looked at the selection: no diet choice to speak of so said "water." He offered me a bottle and I said I would use the stuff in the dining room. he said that was no longer available I had to buy a bottle of water for $1.00.
Fine I order, eat, and go to pay/leave. I tell him, "Are you the owner?"
He says, "Yes"
I reply, "I love the food here I come every now and then, but I am diabetic and you do not have any good diet beverages I can drink other then water. The fact that you only serve bottled water is probably a deal killer for me coming back. It just feels weird being forced to pay for it. For the 67 cents you made on the water you just lost me as a customer"
He got Irate and replied "Well I don't need customers like you."
I asked, "You mean paying? in cash? what? Now I definately will not come back"
He screamed "Get out."
Its a decent place to eat, just pay for your water. And do not upset the owner as he doesn't need customers like you.
I wonder how he reacts if you do not like the food?
Review by Chuck from Lakewood Ohio posted January 11, 2007
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El Tango Taqueria - Delicious food made to order
El Tango Taqueria is not your average Mexican restaurant. It definitely has a more Baja California taste to it than Tex-Mex or "traditional" Mexican restaurants that you find throughout the suburbs. We love their fish tacos, portuguese garlic soup, and tortilla soup. Their homemade lemonade is delicious - it has flecks of vanilla bean in it and it's a great combination. Once I got a standard burrito and it was only so-so. On one occasion someone different made the fish tacos and the sauce wasn't as good as it normally is. Overall, we really like it!
Review by Anonymous from Lakewood posted July 26, 2006
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When authentic south-of-the-border fare is what you crave, you're sure to find all the feisty flavor and fun of Mexico at this casual, take-out style eatery. With its small but colorful dining room adorned with bouquets of dried chiles and spicy red and amber lighting, El Tango Taqueria turns up the heat on traditional Mexican dishes, including tacos burritos and tamale pies. If you find spice not so nice, it's cool: Just try the California avocado burrito, which wraps grilled red snapper, flavorful pinto beans, lettuce, fresh avocado and a sour cream sauce in a warm flour tortilla. The friendly staff working in the open-air kitchen want you to come back often, as specials change daily, and with such an affordable menu and generous portions, it's likely you will.
Review by Northern Ohio Live Magazine posted June 03, 2005
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