Welcome to El Mexico
El Mexico is a hidden gem located in Sandstone, MN, offering an authentic taste of Mexico with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Known for its generous portions and diverse menu, customers rave about their must-try dishes like the Molcajete, Taco Salad, and Burrito Cancun. The vibrant happy hour margaritas and fresh chips served with house-made guacamole are also favorites among patrons. With attentive service and a commitment to quality, El Mexico is perfect for both casual lunches and celebratory dinners. Whether you're traveling along I-35 or looking for a local dining spot, El Mexico promises a memorable culinary experience.
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945 MN-23, Sandstone, MN 55072, United States Hotline: +1 320-372-1366
Welcome to El Mexico, the hidden gem of Sandstone, Minnesota, where authentic Mexican cuisine meets warm hospitality. Nestled conveniently at 945 MN-23, this bustling eatery has quickly become a must-visit for both locals and travelers alike. As you step inside, you are greeted by a vibrant atmosphere, replete with colorful décor and friendly staff eager to serve you.
One of the standout highlights of El Mexico is their renowned Margaritas. Guests rave about the expansive selection, with flavors so bold and refreshing, it’s not hard to see why they are a crowd favorite. As Just Joann aptly noted, the “large” golden margarita is akin to a "fish bowl of awesome"—a perfect companion for a lively evening with friends.
The menu boasts an impressive array of choices, ensuring that there’s something for every palate. From the deliciously prepared Molcajete, as recommended by Daniel Schroeder, to the delectable Steak con hongos—an unexpected twist of flavors with juicy mushrooms and a cheesy topping—each dish is crafted with care and authenticity. The hard shell tacos are fried to perfection, creating a light, delicate crunch that perfectly complements the flavorful fillings, as noted by Renee Havelka.
For those exploring on a Taco Tuesday, you will definitely want to indulge in their scrumptious offerings, including Burrito Cancun and Shrimp Fajitas, both of which are bursting with flavor and generously portioned. The warm, fresh chips served with salsa and guacamole are an enticing start that often leads diners to indulge more than they initially planned.
Customers have consistently praised the attentive service at El Mexico. With a team dedicated to providing a seamless dining experience, guests like Jennifer Eells have noted the cleanliness, spaciousness, and the warm demeanor of the staff, making it a welcoming spot for gatherings of all sizes.
If you’re traveling along I-35 and looking for a delicious meal, take a brief detour to experience El Mexico. As Amy Coletta highlighted, it’s one of the best-kept secrets on the highway, and one visit will surely make it a staple in your dining itinerary. Whether you’re a taco enthusiast or a fajita fanatic, the vibrant flavors and inviting ambiance at El Mexico promise a delightful culinary adventure that you will want to return to again and again.
This was our first time visiting El Mexico and have to recommend for both the great happy hour margaritas and the Molcajete. The Molcajete was excellent and we had plenty of leftovers since we enjoyed their nice warm chips with fresh guacamole and queso! We will definitely be back!!!
Decent prices. I found this place by the recommendation of a local service worker at the casino. Fan-frickin-tastic! Great service with a smile, good fair prices, busy in the afternoon too! I was even able to get girl scout cookies at side table! Beware of the "large" golden margarita... it's a fish bowl of awesome. Many flavors to choose from too. I was most impressed of their large & extensive menue & that when I mentioned it to another many ppl over the next 5ish days everyone said " oh yeah, we love that place! & everything on the menue is good!" This being my first time, I'm going to have to go back again & again to verify this, naturally. Enjoy, I did!
It was Taco Tuesday. We ordered a Burrito Cancun, Shrimp Fajitas, and a soft shell beef, soft shell chicken, hard shell beef and a hard shell chicken taco Amazing! The hard shells were fried to order. Very light, delicate shells, but delicious. The chicken was very moist and flavorful. The Shrimp Fajitas were delicious. The sauteed vegetables were cooked perfectly, not mushie at all. My husband said his Burrito Cancun was very good too. The refried beans and Spanish rice had the authentic flavors of Cancun, and I can't say enough about the Margaritas. Fabulous! The service needs some help. I don't know if our waitress was new, or just doesn't understand English very well. In any case, overall, it was a hit and we'll be back.
Visited here with my sister and niece at opening on a Wednesday. I asked the server to surprise me and he didn't disappoint. The meat burrito rancheros he brought me was huge and delicious. Good thing the hot sauce was on the side - it was so hot the fork I dipped into it came out with the tines halfway melted. A very pleasant surprise was, along with the chicken and beef, there was also a surprising amount of shrimp in the burrito. Now becoming less frequent, the premeal chips and salsa, good but nothing special, were still free. The service was quick and friendly, and prices reasonable.
Sandstone has got to be the best-kept secret on I-35. Whether you're headed up North or returning to the Cities, it's worth a quick exit off the highway to visit its wonderful offerings. El Mexico is on the long list of places worth a stop in Sandstone. Octavio and Ruben have created a restaurant that is large and welcoming, with indoor and seasonal outdoor seating. Let's start with the chips that are served warm with the freshest salsa. I could eat my weight in chips and salsa at El Mexico. There isn't a misstep on the menu; everything I've tried is delicious, with generous portions and always freshly prepared. They've got the basics, fajitas, tacos, burritos, and enchiladas- all tasty. Taco salad? Off the HOOK and absolutely loaded into a fresh tortilla bowl. Carne asada? Incredible! Tender, juicy and so flavorful. On my most recent visit, I tried the Steak con hongos. I don't typically think of mushrooms at Mexican restaurants, but this cheesy, grilled masterpiece was out of this world. A t-bone steak is brought out on a sizzling platter, topped with mushrooms and cheese, and served with tortillas, rice, and beans. The steak was cooked to perfection, and the cheese got all crunchy in the cast iron skillet. Decadent! Mojitos and margaritas will never disappoint. The service is excellent, friendly, and fast without fail. Worth a stop!
This is the best Mexican food I've experienced since moving north of the Texas boarder!!!! And, there is a high sense of urgency from the staff to serve and please everyone!
Now this is Mexican. Even the ragged menu says that they have been there a while and haven't changed prices. Recommended.
Very clean and the spacious eating for large parties. Our severs Willie and Santa were so attentive and pleasant. The food was delicious and they had lots of options on the menu. I will definitely come back again.