El Mexican Restaurant of Hastings
| Address: | 119 2nd St E, Hastings, MN 55033, USA |
| Phone: | +1 651-437-5002 |
| Site: | elmexicanrestaurants.com |
| Rating: | 4.6 |
| Working: | 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 7AM–9PM 7AM–9PM 8AM–8PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 9
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Will Winter
Full disclosure: I do live in Minneapolis and I eat out quite a bit. I wanted so badly to write something great about the sweet little Red Rock Cafe on our trip to Hastings, alas, I was sadly disappointed in the food quality. Location = great. Interior = great. Staff = lovely and attentive, Coffee= great....Food = blech. Im in the meat business, both raising it and selling it, so that is my top criterion of how much care (and money) a restaurant puts into the food they serve. My assessment was that quality is not a priority at RR. When I asked if they ever had anything "local", our waitress replied that they use a "local distributor", translated: Sysco or equivalent. The "sirloin steak" that came with my breakfast was possibly the worst piece of meat I have ever tasted in my career. Was it Soylent Green, or maybe ground-up used telephone books? Perhaps worse, Id ordered it "rare", as it was served, safety dictates that a ground meat product must be fully-cooked. Of my mushy, grey rectangle of "mystery meat", I took one bite and ditched the rest, not sure it would even be something my dog should eat. My wife ordered bacon which was paper-thin and over-cooked into Dorito-dryness, but also bland and fat free, not worth eating. My other quibble was that we ordered sourdough bread, and our friends ordered the marble rye. These are white bread variants, folks, no rye, no real sourdough. Im pretty sure, correct me if Im wrong, but it looks like the biscuits and french toast are pre-made products, shipped in, and warmed-up, also the potatoes appear to be frozen, pre-ground for hash browns, (which is very common these days). I dont believe the "butter" was butter either, most likely margarine, but Ive been picky enough, I just avoided it. Its too bad that its getting harder and harder to visit a quaint little town and enjoy food that is even one degree above bottom of the barrel "truck stop" food. Hastings, you are settling for too little... Pay more, get more.
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Briana Joslin-Guzman
I decided to take my friend from NYC out to breakfast this morning. I knew it has to be a small town diner, after she expressed how much she missed NYC diners. So w went to Karls and had a wonderful breakfast. We were invited to come on in and make ourselves feel at home. Our waitress came over and took our drink orders immediately. She came promptly with our orange juice and water and took or food order. While we waited, we played with the Trivial Pursuit cards they have on every table. Our food came within 10 minutes of ordering. I had the biscuits and gravy. They were amazing. Homemade gravy that was delicious and full of flavor. Karl, the owner, came over after we had finished and chatted with us for a bit. It really had the small town Minnesota feel. It reminded me of Lukes Diner from Gilmore Girls. It was a wonderful dining experience. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants an amazing breakfast!!!!!!!!!!!
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Megan Zaun
My boyfriend and I were passing through the area looking for a great breakfast spot when we stumbled upon this gem. Nestled in the heart of Historic downtown Hastings, Karl’s Red Rock Café has all the elements of a hometown diner you are looking for – fun atmosphere, friendly staff and great food! Our server was beyond welcoming and provided excellent service. There was even Trivial Pursuit cards on the table to keep us entertained while we sipped coffee and waited for our food. Our breakfast was delightful and included one of their famous “sticky buns” – which was absolutely incredible! If you haven’t tried one, you’re missing out! We left feeling full and happy. We will definitely be making a special trip back down to Hastings to visit this café again. If you are passing through the area or looking for a fun place to grab a bite, be sure to stop in, you won’t be disappointed!
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Ann Zeimetz
My boyfriend and I had the most wonderful experience eating at Karls Red Rock Cafe today in Hastings. We were driving thru Hastings and looking for a quaint cafe to eat breakfast. We found Karls!!! It was an amazing experience! We were greeted by a very friendly waitress, seated right away, ordered the most delicious food (patty melt, and Mexican omelet). We ordered mochas too at the end of the meal too! (very yummy!) Please, if you are looking for a great dining experience (breakfast, lunch dinner) this is the place to go! Karl is the actual owner, and he was so pleasant and kind to us, as we complimented him on the great food, hospitality, and quaint establishment!!! Incredible experience!!! You have to go and visit this cafe! Awesome experience and the food is homemade and delicious!!!!!! HIGHLY recommend Karls Red Rock Cafe!!!!! Cant wait to go back!!!
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Shanna Sieben
We have been going to Red Rock since it originally opened, and we continue to go back due to the great food. Its few and far between that you find a restaurant with home style cooking and whole foods. I love that breakfast is served all day, and the soups are always amazing. The perfect setting in a great location. Places like Karls are hard to find! People have just lost touch with what great food really is ... If you want generic, boring, can-find-anywhere food, go to Perkins. If you want great tasting food, a variety of choices, in a fun atmosphere ... Go to Karls. Cherry on top? Their malts are to die for!
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Bruce Larsen
The listing is WRONG!! Karls has changed to El Mexican and is very much open!! We had a wonderful breakfast there this morning. We have enjoyed a lunch and breakfast three other times. They have all of Karls standards and new wonderful additions!! They are NOT closed. Please go in and give them a try. A great family restaurant. Excellent service, friendly staff, great food. Excellent coffee. Nothing worse than bad information on the Web. Seriously, go to El Mexican, you will not regret it. We went this morning my buddy had the Cajun Breakfast, and I had Huevos Rancheros that was excellent!!
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A Private User
What a lovely little restaurant! The food is awesome! The service is exactly what you expect! They care about you the minute you step through the door and upon leaving! But the bottom line, the food is amazing! Especially their breakfasts! I have eaten there for breakfast and for dinner during summer months - and I love it! If you remember the show "Cheers" well you get the same kind of treatment - everybody knows your name - well especially because one goes there so often! Never a disappointment!! Thanks Karl - keep up the good work! Paul and Lisa Guetter
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Mitch Carmody
I love Karls Kitchen!!!! The Eggs Benedict is awesome any way its served but I love the Jeannies style with fresh tomato and herbs on top,it is so yummmmmmy. Fried potatoes are just like Mom used to make and Karl always comes up to your table and asks how everything is, in a warm and comfortable hometown diner way. I have been going there since it opened 9 years ago. Best place to go for fine home cooking, reasonably priced and smiles served all the time for free. I highly recommend you visit Karl for breakfast or lunch, you wont be disappointed (or go hungry).
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Chinah Midtling
Karls Red Rock Cafe is BY FAR my favorite hometown diner. Every time I visit the cafe I feel like Ive walked into my mothers kitchen; the savory aroma, the friendly faces, and the cozy atmosphere. The homemade potatoes are hands-down the best breakfast potato I have ever been served at a restaurant, and it doesnt stop there. It is evident EVERY food item is crafted with quality and homemade taste in mind. It is a delight to enjoy the freshness Karls delivers at such a reasonable price. I often find myself anticipating my next visit before I step out the door.
