El Cortijo
| Address: | 189 Bank St, Burlington, VT 05401, USA |
| Phone: | +1 802-497-1668 |
| Site: | cortijovt.com |
| Rating: | 4.1 |
| Working: | 11:30AM–11PM 11:30AM–11PM 11:30AM–11PM 11:30AM–12AM 11:30AM–1AM 10AM–1AM 10AM–11PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 14
CA
Carrie Neuschel
We were expecting Mexican food and got American food trying to be Mexican. Never before did I have to pay for chips and salsa at a Mexican restaurant, here it was $4.95 and the salsa was tomato puree with a scant of chopped onion, cilantro and tomatoes that didnt resemble fresh tomatoes. The refried beans are geared for vegetarians and therefore were "refried" without lard or any animal fat, if refried at all. They were tasteless and were more like whipped pinto beans than refried. Refried beans should still have some whole or semi whole bean in it. Our burritos were really a wrap not a tortilla and the majority of the inside was black bean and rice. There was little carne in mine and little chorizo in my husbands. Besides the beans and rice there was almost non-detectable other ingredients that were suppose to be inside. Their hot sauce that was in the plastic squeeze bottle was nothing more than Tabasco sauce that they added something that looked like hot pepper seeds to it. We lived in Tucson AZ for 15 years and this food was the farthest thing from Mexican I have eaten here in VT. The food was palatable and we took our leftovers home, but we will never return. This was the most disappointing $50 we have ever spent on so called Mexican food.
LA
La Pana
My family and I went yesterday, 6/15/14, to El Cortijo and we were very disappointed. My mother ordered 3 solo tacos: beef, carnitas, and chorizo. She didnt know what was what because everything tasted the same, but any of the 3 tasted like beef, chorizo or carnitas. My son ordered a chicken and a bean enchilada, and he also wasnt sure what was what. I ordered a tortilla soup and the cheese wasnt even melted. Soup was like warm and flavor was too mild for my taste. I had to order extra salsa and add a ton of red pepper sauce to the soup to amplify its flavor. My fish taco was packed with tartar sauce (at least looked like tartar) and I couldnt taste the fish at all bc of the amount of tartar. The complementary chips and salsa are not free anymore -the first time I went there -I wasnt charged it for-. I really dont understand how people like this restaurant. The only two positive I can say is the use of fresh veggies, and their salsa is very good. No worth the $. I also prefer El Gato than this. At least at el gato the chips and salsa are complementary, and food has more flavor, but I liked better n their beginning than now (el gato).
MI
Mike Coughlin
Very good tacos, I tried several and each was unique and delicious. Our party tried the regular, passion-fruit and blood-orange margaritas, and all were made well (I personally recommend the passion-fruit). The taco portions were small, I ended up ordering a second round of tacos, eating 5 in total over the night. Service was polite and professional, although it took a while to get our drinks (10-15min). All booths were full but the bar was not overly busy during our visit. Fun, happy atmosphere. Intimate booths. 3/4 expensive.
JJ
JJ Cook
Not great! But okay...theyre okay in way that makes me resent that theyre just not great. Theyre so close to what you would find at a particularly lousy local taco shop in San Diego but not quite as good, and ~3x - 5x as expensive. This is where the fancy folk of Squirrel-Town go to get their taco-thing on, but even the saddest SoCal bum enjoys better several times a week. So...no. Unless conspicuous consumption is your game, go somewhere else, pay just about as much, and get a much better meal.
KY
Kyle Kyzer
Food was very bland and overpriced. We were attracted to the place because of the crowd, but chipotle would have been a better dinner. Service was decent, but when a guest sitting next to us at the bar spilled her margarita that was 3/4 full, they didnt even offer to replace it. A bar that wont even eat the cost of a shot to ensure their guests are enjoying their meal is not a place I care to revisit. Too many other great restaurants in this town to support this one that should be replaced.
CO
Coral Burris
I visited this restaurant for the first time today. In my opinion the food is way overpriced and not authentic Mexican food. This was the first time that I have been charged for chips and one choice of salsa at $4.95. I also ordered the small nachos $8.99, no meat, just cheese, black beans and cheese. I also found ironic that the music being played was reggae music. I love reggae music but a Mexican restaurant? Now in the positive side, I received very nice service.
KI
Kim Rutherford
As someone who spent several years in the Southwest, I am picky about Mexican food. My carne asada was delicious (wouldve liked a larger portion for the $$ though), elote and fish taco was yummy and homemade corn tortillas are really good. Best chimichurri sauce Ive had in awhile. Food is very fresh & they make a pretty decent margarita. And they are open late night, which is how we found this place. Definitely worth a try!
ED
Edin Suljanovic
Be open minded with this place. Its not authentic Mexican... Think of it more as a Vermont spin on Mexican dishes inspired by local ingredients. Solid drinks and very flavor able dishes with popping flavors. Open late on the weekends which is a bonus. However, the greatest mistake the owners have made is eliminating churros! A desert that completed a taco and margarita meal in The green mountains like non other
KE
Kelly Babcock
Very cute atmosphere. A little cramped. Service was ok friendly but not great. I LOVE margaritas but I couldnt finish it,it was way to bitter just tasted bad. The beer was warm and flat waitress has no clue what they gad for beer. Food was just ok way to expensive for mexican they strive for for farm fresh really didnt get that at all. Not worth the money at all. We will not go back!
SU
Susi Taylor
I had high expectations based on reviews. I was totally underwhelmed by my taco plate. The tacos were small and tasteless. Rice and refried beans no better. Others in group had a salad [almost unedible]] and the chicken burrito was cold and tasteless. Beer was warm and service was marginal .To add insult to injury, bill was twice what it should have been!
AD
Addison Raap
Simply the best and my absolute go to restaurant in burlington. Authentic mex taste while achieving a localvore ethos and top notch tasty terroir. their new and improved dishes (deeper queso bowls!) and recent I housing of tortilla production is a big bonus. Waitresses are sexy and engaging. Passion fruit spicy margarita is a king among cocktails.
JA
Jamie McQueen
Quick service. Happy servers. Cold beer. GREAT tacos. Thank you, EC, you did what Farmhouse Tap and Grill couldnt. One bit of feedback is to find a way to reduce liquid in tacos as the tortillas of the other tacos on the plate absorb this and loose their structural integrity. Perhaps using a slotted spoon? Thanks again! I will return.
RO
rodney bledsoe
we went here trying to find some great tacos. they do have the farm to table method and the ingredients were indeed fresh and good. i felt the tacos were bland and could use more seasoning. the churros were nice. we felt the serving size to the price it cost to eat did not make for any value.
SA
Sandra Paritz
I love this place. I wish I could eat here everyday. I tried 3 different kinds of tacos tonight (some of everyones) smoked quinoa, crispy pescado, vegetarian with tempura avocado, everything was perfectly spiced and delicious. The mexican hot chocolate was dreamy. Cant wait to come back!
