El Fenix Mexican Restaurant - Downtown

Reviews 8

JO

John Holden

TL; DR: Waiter told me I should treat my parents better than I treat my waiter, who was inattentive, rude, and forgetful. I will never come here again. Ive been to El Fenix several times--and this location, by far, has the best food of all of them. The service usually is not good, to say the least, but I have never been disrespected by anyone. That is, until today. Long story short, the food was the same almost-excellent quality it usually is, but the service was much worse. It took the waiter 15 minutes to get us our water and then another 15 for him to take our order. Granted, the place was busy, so I didnt think too much of it. We stayed awhile talking, so the place had cleared up as we were eating. That being said, the waiter was nowhere near as polite nor engaged with us as he seemed with every other patron. We hadnt ordered much, so we didnt tip much. We also tipped more generously than we should have, as our service was almost non-existent. The waiter was obviously displeased. We gave him a bad tip mainly because before he had given us the bill, he had said, very aggressively, "Thanks for being the last ones here. Ill take your bills so you can get out of here quickly." Bad enough. As I was walking out, I had forgotten a picture I brought as a joke, and the front desk had it for me. I thanked the man who gave it to me and walked out. Right after I got the picture, my waiter said, "I hope you treat your parents better than you treat your server." This is not what I expect from any restaurant, especially one of this caliber--one that is so revered. I cannot believe management of an iconic Dallas restaurant hired someone so self-centered. I hope management fixes this issue, as I have already let it be known of my displeasure. I hope you guys dont have my experience, but I also hope you guys dont give this restaurant your business. Waiters are underpaid, yes. They also, however, are expected to work--they shouldnt expect to get a free tip for not keeping up with their customers. I hope this was a sobering situation for my waiter. He was useless.

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KA

Karin Henninger

On my last day in Dallas, my sisters family and I went to El Fenix for lunch, as I had requested something "Texas, and not a chain" because when I travel I like to eat the local fare. We were on our way to the Perot Museum and stumbled upon El Fenix and my sister asked if that would fulfill my requests. Seeing the restaurant had been established in Dallas since 1918, I said yes. The restaurant has a great ambiance and seems relaxing, even in the middle of a lunchtime rush. Beautiful murals adorn the walls of the dining room and there are plenty of historical plaques boasting the military service of the founder and his family. The food is your typical Mexican food, but it all tastes fresh made- no frozen guacamole on my plate, which is a plus! I can see how El Fenix has been able to survive in Dallas for almost 100 years! We had a wide variety of the food among the 5 of us and no one left the table wanting more. Make sure to save room for dessert as the chocolate sopapillas are incredible, though I am partial to the Lemon Ice Box Pie! You pay the cashier at the front and not your waiter, so give yourself a few extra minutes to get out, just in case theres a line!

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VA

Vannah Rucker

I hate giving out 2 stars but this place was not good. We visited the area and saw the signs for Dallas oldest Mexican restaurant, so we figured if they have been in business this long they must be cooking some amazing food. Not so much. The food was cheap and tasted very processed, and the restaurant was so big I felt like I was in a feeding trough. Their saving grace for a 2 star review? The service was great. The waiter, while he botched my order badly and I totally understand that happens, he was quick to correct it and attempt to offer me something else to eat. I felt he genuinely cared and would have done everything in his power to fix my meal, kudos to him! Note, this is not a vegetarian friendly place, their idea of cheese enchiladas with red sauce includes beef con-carne in their red sauce. Even when I specifically requested a vegetarian friendly plate I was served meat, and I think thats due to the fact that they dont have an alternative. Also, their "cheese" sauce is actually nacho cheese sauce straight out of a can, super gross.

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GR

Graham Sanders

There was me, that is Graham, and my five droogs, that is Car Car, Mark, Ev, Kat and Sar and we sat in the El Fenix on MicKinney trying to make up our rassoodocks what to do with the evening. Th El Fenix Caantina margarita selection ranged from a crisp classic to the Corona infuses beer-a-rita, which is what we were drinking. This would sharpen you up and make you ready for a bit of the old ultrafeast. The food lathered our pallets with subtle hints of spices while retaining a full bodied flavor the stooge and I had been searching for many moons. The hero of our adventure is our waiter Daniel. A master of his craft, Daniel not only brought substanance, he brought laughter, joy and friendship to me and my companions as we sat and reminisced of times past and fond escapades. Daniel was our captain of this evening, and his service is what will bring up to take this adventure once again

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IN

ingrid flores

Me gusta este lugar apesar que están bien ocupados la comida es muy buena lo único malo que e visitado otros lugares y ponen más carnes cada vez que voy ordenó el combo fajitas para dos pues voy con mi esposo y ponen muy poquita carne la verdad. Pero si es muy buena la comida.

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SH

Shawn Pedigo

5/26/17 COCKROACH!!!! Went with my son to this restaurant. I have been going here for 15 years plus. Today I am saddened by my experience. Food was good service was ok. As I had finished my food and was taking a drink of my tea... A Cockroach!!!! Crawls across our table instantly feel sick to stomach as well as my son who barely made it outside before getting sick! I will never return nor will my son!! I have worked in the food industry many years ago there is no excuse to have any bugs let alone a cockroach in any restaurant!!! Sincerely Shawn

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RO

Robert Eugene Lentz

LOVE El Fenix. Been a regular since I was a young boy. Just as good now as then. Visited many of their locations throughout the years and the food is fantastic and very consistent. I know there are always a few that stand out with their comments......not made from scratch ..... greasy......this and that.....I CALL BS.......I have literally been dozens of times if not hundreds and I can honestly say Ive never had a bad experience,,,..NOT ONE!!!! Think Ill order take out from the McKinney, TX location tonight!!! I cant get my fill!!!!

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AM

Amanda Cercy

I am having my wedding here in December, and the private event staff has made everything such a BREEZE! I keep thinking there is more I need to do, but there really isnt. I am having a wedding/reception here for about 60 people, and its costing us less than 3k, including the private venue space upstairs, complete with rooftop patio, food, 3 hours of open bar, tables, chairs, linens, flatware, EVERYTHING. All we are going to have to do on the day of is bring in some minimial decorations. Will check back in after the wedding!

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