El Borracho Ballard
| Address: | 5465 Leary Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107, USA |
| Phone: | +1 206-582-1974 |
| Site: | elborrachoseattle.com |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | 11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 10
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Andrew Miller
ALLERGY ALERT I went with a friend and my girlfriend who is allergic to all tree nuts, sesame and dairy(an actually allergy, not just lactose intolerant). We all ordered burritos of different varieties. My girlfriend ordered hers with the vegan cheese they offer as it was safe for her to eat and clearly explained her allergies to the server. When he placed her burrito in front of her she asked him about the vegan cheese again to be sure it was safe. He took her burrito back to the kitchen and then returned telling her it was safe and was made correctly(no actual dairy). A few moments after she took a bite she began feeling a reaction. We then realized and later confirmed with the waitress that our burritos had been switched. I quickly paid the bill which they took off the cost of her burrito, just so we could get out of there and get her home. At this point however I feel as though I paid too much to have to watch my girlfriend puking in the sink after taking benedryl, epipen at the ready. If you have an allergy I STRONGLY recommend you dont go near this place! It is not worth the risk. I am just thankful that it was cheese that got mixed up instead of nuts.
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Michael Tomkins
The food is bland. The chips served were mostly in the form of crumbs. When mentioned to the server, she acted like I was unreasonable. I wouldnt have mentioned it if the they had been complimentary, but they are not and if I am paying for them, I expect something suitable. Why they were brought to the table at all, I dont understand. I would have been embarrassed to serve them. Perhaps she thought that we wouldnt notice or that we dont have to work for our money. The food was improved by the salsa bar which I only knew about by overhearing the waiter at another table. The salsa bar was some squeeze bottles, self-service out of a gray plastic tub, looking not at all appealing, that we got to half-way through our meal. It was too fiddly and inconvenient, a real mood-kill for the meal. There was no sauce at all at the table. i definitely would not go out of my way for this place due to the food and poor service.
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Devan Miller Lerond
This place is very popular with the Ballard crowd and I guess for good reason because the food and drinks were tasty and very affordable. However, I dont think Ill want to go back just because of how insanely crowded it was. We had to wait for 30+ minutes to get seated and in the meantime had to dodge servers running around with hot sizzling plates (couldnt go outside because it was 32 degrees out). We finally found a corner at the bar and ordered a drink, but my glass as well as the bar surface was covered in spilled margaritas and therefore extremely sticky which is a huge pet peeve of mine. As expected, it was so loud that no real conversation could be had. Last negative point, the next morning, my husband and I realized we couldnt wear our clothes/jackets from the night before because they REEKED of smoke.
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Christen Green
I absolutely love their fish tacos. By far the best Ive have in this area. They have an awesome selection of flavored margaritas (that they infuse in house!) A good majority of their food is GLUTEN-FREE and they have a great selection of VEGAN options. There is a salsa bar that you can check out with a handful of house made salsa, which pair well with anything on their menu. If you are looking for enchiladas, they have them! (suizas option Is the best option in my opinion.) The chips! When you get chips and guac, they give you a free refill! And you get salsa with a free refill too! Perfect snack if youre looking for something quick. I will say that this place is ALWAYS busy, but the servers hold it down. Thats when you know youve found a good spot!
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Lottie Nunnally
Just moved to Ballard from Virginia Beach, Virginia and let me tell you.....I am the MOST impressed Ive ever been with an American owned Mexican restaurant. This place has got it down. Staff was quick to get us seated even with at full capacity. Very attentive, also knowledgeable about the menu. Our food came out piping hot after about 5 min! Our server Kyle was legitimately awesome! Even with 100 people in here, remembered what we were drinking and kept em comin! The manager Fidel busts his ass running around here like his life depends on he customers happiness. VERY COOL, LAID BACK, CHILL people. Great atmosphere! You have to come and try it!! We will be back many times!
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Madeleine Higgins
I went here for a birthday dinner on a Sunday, and it was super busy! Which I saw as a good sign. The atmosphere is a typical Mexican american restaurant decor with a little bit of an edge. The best part of this place is their cheap-oh margarita! Four dollars for a single and seven for a double. Its on tap, so this isnt just a happy hour deal its all the time! The kitchen accidentally made two orders of our margaritas so they just gave us one of the rounds for free! The food was also majorly delicious. I suggest the enchiladas. Both styles are amazing and I literally cant wait to have leftovers.
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Dina D
Probably good for a drunk, late-night taco, (as the name suggests) but during the day - unbelievably weird and slow service - the gal leaving for the day felt bad for us and ran our ticket after shed noticed it had been sitting there for twenty minutes, waiter got the order wrong, forgot part of the order (and it was just two of us with simple orders, too), and then abandoned his two tables to count money at another table for the rest of the afternoon (leaving that gal to ring us up). So weird. And the food was not that great; guess I should have been drunk.
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Katie Steel
The only downside is its always kind of crowded. Were usually able to find a seat without TOO much of a wait, however, and the servers come by regularly. Their happy hour lasts until 7 which is a lifesaver ($1 tacos!), they have some of the best tortilla chips Ive ever had, the food is great, and the el cheapo margarita is delicious. They do seem to skimp on the salt rim, but Im not sure if thats a problem with their setup, or bartenders choice or what. Either way, not a big enough problem to dock a star.
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Alexander Spohn
Poor and neglectful service, overstaffed yet somehow no one was taking charge of new customers or orders or drinks or service.. food wasnt very good (not very fresh or tasty; bland watery salsa, al pastor used canned pineapple.. served without limes, meat had seasining outside and dry inside). We had to get our own water, our own silverware, our own chip refill.. i know this place has been open a little while, but this was amateur hour! We had a good laugh when we left!
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Daniel C
Ive come here for a month or two. It has a great selection of tacos. My favorite is cochinitas pibil, which is similar to Hawaiian kalua pork but a lighter almost sweeter flavor. Great selection of beer and liquor. Dannie was the first server I met and she and the others are really fantastic. Its now my go-to place for tacos and burritos. All my Ballard friends are fans. BTW I loved the poster in the mens room of "Debbie Does Dallas".
