El Bolero Reviews

We were driving around the Design District and looking specifically for a non-chain Mexican restaurant with margaritas. So glad we stumbled upon this place. It has an trendy but elegant ambiance, and the staff was friendly and helpful. It's not inexpensive, but it's honestly good enough that you don't feel like you were ripped off. My wife and I split the Tacos al Pastor with a side of Elotes plus 2 margaritas each, and our tab with tax and gratuity was $80. It's not in my opinion a weekly place, but it's a 2 or 3 times per year type place! I would definitely take out of town friends there for the pricy but delicious Black Margarita!!!

First time. Great service and the food was wonderful. I had the crabmeat Cheese reallano (sp?). Wow!!!! Chips and salsa super good. Kinda of disappointed in how really small the ice tea glass was, but minor in comparison to the food

Went here for the first time with two coworkers for lunch. Good location on the western edge of the Arts District, but right in the middle north-south. They have many parking spaces "coned off" for valet parking but there are available spaces along Oaklawn. Large outside seating walled off from the parking lot and with misters going to cut down on the heat. Inside is a medium-sized open concept with low tables, a smallish drinking bar as well as high stools at an eating bar along the open kitchen area. Interesting art and high-end staff ensure the restaurant fits into its up-and-coming surroundings. Chips (admittedly not traditional Mexican, but expected) served with three types of salsas. Small size multi-page menu is presented with too many options. After discussing with the server we went with a salad, enchiladas verdes and three tacos - two grilled fish and one beef). We all cleaned our plates. Quite good, even though it is on the spendy side - $50 before tip and that was just with two iced teas. We will return and sample more menu options. This is certainly a good place for intimate evening dining as well - if you are already in the area. As typed, the neighborhood is still a work in progress and can be sketchy - you might want to go with the valet option after dark.

Very good service and food, ceviche, a must!! Salmon poblano, amazing! Nice wine list by the glass. Busy vibrant scene.

Great Mexican Restaurant. The food sets it off. Would recommend it highly.Very good Margarita's. We have been to many Mexican restaurants in the Palm Springs, CA area and this restaurant was as good as most of them.

Neat restaurant not far from Market Center in Dallas. The atmosphere is fresh and open. Good menu with variety of choices. Drink menu is extensive. A great accidental find, and recommend.

Ate lunch last weekend. Cool building, great choices, food was delicious, but mostly....the service was outstanding....attentive, informative, friendly....

Very disappointed with the food and the preparation. Meat was very XXX salty , fajita chicken was served as a chicken breast on an oval plate not even hot, one loop of sour cream was melted over the plate and the biggest surprise was fajita served with White Rice( what happened to Mexican rice🫢). Enchiladas were cold besides salty and have no taste. The service was ok. It was waste of time and money . I will not even recommend or mention this restaurant as a Mexican restaurant may be as a contemporary restaurant.

El Bolero was recommended by our hotel concierge for our group dinner. Upon our arrival we found a very well spaced table that fit all of us with ample room! Huge bowls of chips found there way to us quickly, as did pitchers of sangria and margarita. Food options were everything you would expect, and everyone enjoyed their meals completely. Service was great, and although it was too chilly to enjoy the outside patio dining space, it appears to have a very nice look and feel to it. Located just a quick drive from the downtown hotel area, El Bolero is easy to get to and has ample parking right outside the front entrance.

Best shrimp ever. This is close to the Hilton and we walked. Very nice service and great drinks also. We will return when in Dallas.

Called to make a reservation, was told we don't take reservations but call an hour ahead and your name will go to the top of the wait list when you arrive. I called back and hour before and was told we don't take names. We arrived and found neither was necessary as there were only a few tables occupied. Started off good with excellent chips and salsa. Had to remind server that drinks we ordered never arrived as was the case with the additional salsa we ordered. We ordered calamari as an appetizer, it was tiny pieces of calamari that had been way overcooked. I ordered Polo Mole tacos which I didn't care for but that was my mistake as I don't normally order anything with mole. The chile rellano tasted good but the presentation appeared to be one big glob melted together in as indistinguishably casserole. The house margaritas were good and the patio is great. This place has potential but there are some kinks to work out first!

Service was top notch, fast and friendly. Server made recommendations as this was our first time to this restaurant. We ordered the Oilman margarita which is a craft margarita like no other. It is jet black with gold accents and rock candy sucker/stir stick. The drink was made with Codigo 1830 tequila (George Strait partner) for a smooth big finish. The food is excellent. Fresh ingredients prepared to perfection are plated and served with pride. Great Mexican flavors; traditional mixed with new twists. My wife loved her fajitas and I enjoyed the crab stuffed poblano pepper. Sometimes it is the simple things perfected that really please and send an experience over the top. For me it was the chips and salsa! Absolute excellence and should be the standard for all Mexican restaurants. Well seasoned fresh fried chips to dunk into the best tasting salsa ever. I could drink the red salsa and the chip was at many times a vessel for me to not embarrass myself. Seriously the chips and salsa were so great I had to get some to take home. Splendid! Loved El Bolero and will definitely go back soon.

Pretty to look at, enticing menu but bottom line: just regular food. I expected more from reviews, the decor and the menu.

Lively restaurant with committed, friendly staff. Meals were tasty and reasonably priced with a good selection. Ample parking. Only small criticism was that the air con was a bit too cool and was hard to hear others at the table. Overall, well worth a visit.

El Bolero was recommended by the concierge at our hotel and it was excellent! The sopes as an appetizer were fabulous, then I had the fish tacos and my daughter had the tacos al pastor, finishing with the churros. The atmosphere and decor are great, my only warning is that the chips and salsa are so good, you may not have room for your meal! Great time!

Very good chicken tacos, and fairly priced. Good tortilla chips with 2 interesting salsas. Very good fancy (albeit pricey) margarita. Best rice ever -- their green cilantro rice was fabulous!!! Nice modern atmosphere. Restaurant is not huge. We stayed at the Doubletree and walked here. Not a great walk due to nearby construction, but once that construction is done it's only 3 blocks away.

Went here for a late lunch on a Sunday and were seated right away. The restaurant was not busy at all. The chips were decent. I ordered the cerviche that was made with red snapper. Was kind of unsure of ordering this item, as I had never had red snapper before. It was excellent! Everyone enjoyed their meals including steak tacos and enchiladas. It was a little pricey, but definitely worth it!

Valet is a bonus here, so we were off to a good start. We had a fantastic waiter who guided us to some great choices. The tomatillo salsa that came with the chips was delicious but I wish the red spice would have had some heat to it. We ordered the steak tacos and the grilled mahi mahi tacos; both were fantastic! I will definitely be a returning diner!

Had the pleasure of eating at el Bolero yesterday. OMG, the food was amazing. Try the pazole. The broth was outstanding and it was full of chicken. What flavor! If you get to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area do yourself a favor and stop at el Bolero. Your tastebuds will say gracious!

Came with a client for lunch. Great atmosphere and location. Frozen swirl Margaritas on point. Had guacamole with pastor. Awesome. I had mole tacos. It was a little above average. Cilantro lime rice. Other person had lobster rice with scallops. She liked it. I would come back for another lunch.

This is the place to be if you love Mexican food. We are tired of the many Mexican and TexMex restaurants around town that serve same kind of so-so dishes; and El Bolero is the best we have had in years. Must have shaved pork tacos, Chile Relleno stuffed with crab, and grilled whole fish. We loved especially the whole fish, fresh and perfectly prepared. We also likes the side pairings and plating that did not mix everything together. Good service. Reasonable prices. Very crowded on a Saturday night; and folks were having a great time and lots of drinks!

We stumbled upon this great place. The food was fresh and delicious! The service was great! The atmosphere was unique. Love the design of the ceiling and the unique doors they have out front.

We were tired & wanted a mexican restaurant that was close to our hotel... El Bolero was recommended by hotel staff. Limited menu for vegetarians. However the veggie taco's were delicious and the spinach empanadas amazing! Smoking was allowed at the entrance of the restaurant... NOT good having to walk through the smoke to get in.

A big group of us were in town on business, so we showed up last minute on a Saturday and they were able to seat us. We ordered the queso and guac, which were very good. I liked the seasoning on the chips in particular. A friend of mine and I split the combo fajitas, and they were fine. I was expecting the meat and veggies to come out on a cooking skillet, but they just came out on a plate. No cheese or sour cream to add. It was fine. Nothing special.

Close to the Dallas Market lays "el bolero" (the shoe shine man), a modern style Mexican cafe with authentic flavors. Located in the corner of Market Center and Oak Lawn it is easy to reach, the restaurant ambiance is modern but cozy, the food is excellent and reasonable priced.

Our food and service was excellent! (Thanks, Angel). I had the deliciously luscious chili relleno stuffed with crab and the sauce was to die for!

We were staying at the Anatole and wanted something other than a burger and found this fabulous restaurant. First the chips and (both) salsas are great paired with their version of a Bloody Mary, get a carafe you will want more than 1. Our party got the Red Snapper tacos, Wagyu Y chorizo con guacamole y rajas, Al pastor con grilled pina and a side of elotes de calle preparodos. YUM...YUM...YUM. We are already planning our next trip.

Used to be my #1 Mexican place Bc it was great Mexico City type food. Well prepared. Very good quality. Great service. Menu has now been revamped and the quality has dropped a lot. Obvious they are cutting costs. I have never seen brown crabmeat! Service has been bad last two times I have been there. Won’t be back.

It has been a long time since we were so excited to try and new place and came away so disappointed. We had a late Saturday evening eservation and the place was fairly full when we arrived. Things started off on the wrong foot when the hostess could not find our reservation (asking if we made it through OpenTable and said that missing reservations were common through that website). She eventually spun her iPad around for us to view and our name was the second reservation on the list. That lack of service foreshadowed the remainder of the night. We were sat right behind the hostess stand and there were problems with other patrons throughout the night, the manager even loudly reprimanding the hostess at one point. A larger group was seated which required moving a few tables and chairs. The patrons themselves did most of the moving and one chair remained unneeded. That chair sat in the middle of the dining room for a considerable amount of time while waiters, managers, and the hostess walked around it several times without ever thinking to move it out of the way. The initial waiter greeting and time to get the first drink we excessive so we ordered dinner at the time the drink arrived realizing that the service was going to be slow. We enjoyed the chips and flavorful salsa options while waiting. The food came out of the kitchen in a timely manner and was quite good. Again, trying to flag down the server for a second drink was as challenging as getting the first. The water glasses were neglected as well, leaving us nothing to drink at times. By the time the second drink came, we had finished our food and the plates were cleared. I was frustrated at that point so I simply passed on the drink and got the check. While we would certainly like to return in order to sample the food once again which we enjoyed very much. I am not sure that we will because of the service.

the food was awesome. The service was wonderful as well! wonderful friendly staff. I had Chile Relenos with lump crab and it was amazing, I was blown away by the quality of the dish, The flan as well was absolutely the best that I have ever had served with a caramel drizzle, and strawberry slices there were 4 of us, everyone had as good of a meal as I did

A colleague and I were staying in a local hotel for a business meeting and asked the front desk for a restaurant recommendation. The hotel suggested El Bolero, saying that it is relatively new (3-4 months) but that all guests seem to rave about it. After dining there I can see why! We had an early dinner on a Sunday so it was not crowded, but even so there was a good crowd both inside and on the outside patio, with NFL games on the TVs for us football diehards. We had a charming, knowledgeable and helpful server (thanks, Caroline!) who pointed out some interesting and non-traditional drinks and dishes. This seems to be traditional Mexican food but with some innovative twists and an emphasis on high-quality ingredients. The lime juice is freshly squeezed, the chips are light, not greasy and very fresh, and the three salsas served provide a range of flavors. Pricing is very reasonable and the servings generous, with a variety of sides to complement your entrée. They have an impressive list of tequilas and mezcals as well as a nice list of wine, beer, and sangria. I hope to make it back to sample more of their cooking. The chicken enchiladas were fantastic, as were the enchiladas de barbacoa.

Sorry I didn't find earlier. Was walkable from my hotel, which was nice. Yummy drinks and food. Seems like a locals favorite too, a large party of women on a night out were sitting next to me. Weren't rowdy, were pleasant and confirmed that a locals fav.

I went here on recommendation from the hotel. They did say it was upscale food and the locals endorsed the place as well. I sat at the bar. Had great salsa and chips the vibe is trendy and moderate. Had the fish tacos as entree they were small more like appetizer but filled me as i was not that hungry. Overall will go back again when back in town.

I really like this newest addition to the Design District eateries....Brought to you by The Oak & Pakpao crowd. Great staff, surroundings & the food has been very good. The only issue I've had is some dishes are just too damn salty...(i.e.- chicken tacos) Please lay off the sodium, El Bolero, before I turn into a pillar of salt....

This is just phenomenal Mexican food. It's not like so many average places. Get the bacon guac- you won't regret it. The chips and salsa even are great. The decor built around the Bolero concept is interesting. And we had a very helpful and attentive server. I've visited this restaurant regularly for years and I am happy every time.

The food and service here were excellent. We had a variety of meals between the 4 of us, and everyone said their meals were excellent. I had the chicken enchilada and a margarita, which are highly recommended.

Visited El Bolero as a recommendation from my hotel. Started off with delicious appetizers and spicy salsa. Probably amongst the best salsas I've tasted. The food was excellent and the meat was peppered to perfection. Will definitely dine here again. The tacos were phenomenal.

Was in town visiting friends, one of which was their birthday. Decided on after hearing many good things about this place we'd give it a shot. Glad we did. All I can say is fantastic! Everything from the beer selection to the chips and varieties of salsa, it was excellent. I had the enchiladas de barbacoa for my main course. It was everything I could have hoped for. Great job guys and next time we're in the DFW area we'll be sure to make a point to come again!

Totally great experience. Friendly helpful staff. Appetizers and meal were spaced our appropriately. Dessert was excellent. We arrived late in the evening. We were half expecting the dregs of what was leftover. This definitely wasn’t the case. Highly recommended.

I wondered why we even bothered after the first 30 seconds at the restaurant. Making the reservation via OpenTable should ensure one thing - that your reservation is spelled correctly. However it doesn't ensure that the hostess knows how to spell, listen or read. After she listed off 10 names, showing her our confirmation and finally my husband looking at the reservation list miraculously our reservation was found. Should have left, there were several other moments in the next hour that we felt the same way. Once seated it took at least 10 minutes to be acknowledged with water, much less a waiter. Although they were busy, there were empty tables ( that they kept moving around to make bigger tables - one was actually moved 4 times and another 2 times in an hour). Very slow getting items from the bar, we sent a second glass of wine back because it took so long to get and we were fed up with the place. Food was good, but not good enough to return for the beat down. Too bad - really wanted to enjoy and like this place, good location, high profile owner chef team. My husband made the comment if a drone was flying overhead this place would look like a losing game of frogger. Even the managers were dazed and confused..

I asked for a side of avocados for my kids but lady told me that there no avocados only guacamole (Don't you need avocados to make guacamole?) it's like you going to an Italian restaurant without cheesse make no sense.. I felt she was super rude to us ... I always try places with 5 * but this time I made big mistake. this restaurant it's no a family environment ... loud music Really funny was no avocado for my kids but was avocado on the chicken salad

Wait staff was great! Presentation of the dishes was fabulous. Loved the grilled chicken salad. Visited during work hours so, I came back the following weekend to try their well drinks. Margaritas were amazing!

Food was good, drinks were good. Definately can not go wrong here. Crowd in the bar were really mellow.

I enjoyed the food and it is nice for the family but the service was average and the prices were okay. I might go back but not somewhere I would put on my calendar to guarantee I plan to go.

This is a new restaurant by the owners of the highend Oak Restaurant. They have regional food from Yucatan, Baja, Mexico City, and other locations. We were there the night Herradura dad a demo of harvesting agave for tequila. They also serve breakfast and lunch. They also have an out door patio, which is quieter than the indoor restaurant.

Amazing food, fantastic cilantro rice, reasonable portion sizes, great service. Mojitos were delicious!

Very nice Location. Very good Good and margeritas! Staff is friendly too! Tacos with Salsa and guacamole are awesome!

Total repeat customer. I cannot determine which salsa I like the best- both are amazing. The chips are huge and fresh. Save room for an entree! The consumme pollo was terriifc- and a healthy option if you want to stick to your diet ( but we seriously fell off the wagon). The black margarita and red sangria were great starters. Guacamole is so fresh and perfect ( child approved too). Chicken Mole w/rice sounds plain- but really good. Tortillas are small and fresh. Prices are totally fair. Service could have picked up with tea and water refills, but no other misses. I know from past visits that the lunch salads are terrific. See you soon.

Stopped in for an early dinner. Four us had something different and all were very good. We usually judge a Mexican place form the salsa and chips and we weren't disappointed. Nice and thin, not oily, seasoned, and the salsa was very good. We can recommend the fish tacos (made with swordfish that night), empanadas, chicken and beef enchiladas. Service was attentive. We would definitely go back!

Good food served with passion by the kitchen and staff. Continently located near by Dallas downtown area. They have free parking as well as valet. We were surprised with how noisy it was inside. If temperature allows, it’s a good idea to sit outside. Enjoy the authentic Mexican food. Safe travels!

My wife and I were at a wine tasting in the Design District and needed a last minute stop for dinner. We chose this, and after calling ahead, they were able to accommodate a walk up reservation. Great chips and salsa and we shared a nice take on fajitas with a lobster tail fajita. Nice dinner, and plenty of food to share. Nice wine selections but the restaurant is geared for a younger crowd, and is a bit loud, even on off nights.

We stayed in the Anatole Hotel and had the food delivered. From order to delivery it was not more than 20 minutes. Amazing. The food was hot still when delivered. The chips and sals were excellent. The cheese enchiladas and black beans were also wonderful and tasty. The chili relleno was excellent. The guacamole was top drawer. This was a really good hot Mexican dinner that we thoroughly enjoyed. They clearly know how to cook.

We accidentally found this fabulous mexican food restaurant when we were in Dallas for business. Yelp gave it some good reviews, so we decided to try it. It was delicious. It reminds me of traditional mexican infused with tex-mex flare. I had pulled chicken enchiladas. I thought about licking the plate. Everyone else knows the food is great too, becuase It was very busy. I'm pretty sure reservations are necessary. I think my husband and I just got lucky when we arrived.

The food was very good, music was a little loud which made it hard to visit with your friends but the guacamole made it worth it.

This wonderful little restaurant has a casual atmosphere, great margarita, and delicious food. The first time I went we enjoyed and appetizer and drinks on the patio -PERFECTION! My second visit was for a birthday lunch with girlfriends and again I was impressed. Everyone loved their lunch and we had a great time. This place is well worth checking out!

We walked here from out hotel for a change of pace, and this gem was worth the short walk. The food was fresh and good. There was seating available inside and out. Service was prompt and handled our large party without difficulty. This was pricey, in my opinion, but the quality of the food made it worth it for a nice night out.

Very modern Restaurant nice outdoor seating on the patio for a private party makes for a nice afternoon The guacamole was quite good complimented with the ceviche and flautas. The chicken salad with a nice light vinaigrette dressing a little on the Sweetside a very enjoyable for a nice summer afternoon Drinks are a nice pour. Margaritas were yummy. Enjoy

Our group of 5 loved the house made chips and guacamole. We all had the fajitas (some had beef, some had lobster), and all were delicious. We chose this restaurant due to it's proximity to the Hilton Anatole, and it was nice to get away from the hotel. We enjoyed sitting in the outdoor patio.

I've been a couple of times to El Bolero for lunch in the Design District and while not bad, not great for the following reasons: 1) LOUD - the place is pretty busy for lunch, but you can barely hear yourself speak and 2) Pricey for what I think you get. But, it has a good menu that is different from other places. The chips were good. The portions weren't overwhelming like other Mexican restaurants.

Ate here for lunch and it was really great. Salads and enchiladas were wonderful but the guacamole was where it's at.

Was in Dallas for a conference and went to El Bolero for lunch with colleagues. The TripAdvisor reviews were good and it was close to the hotel, a short Uber ride or longer walk. About a mile from Hotel Anatole near Design District. We ate lunch a little late on a week day at 1. The place was almost empty inside with everyone enjoying the outdoor seating. The waiter came immediately and was very attentive. Chips and salsa were delicious. The chips were crispy and bonus they had a creamy avocado jalapeño sauce along with the regular (delicious) salsa. I had the chillle relleno con queso and it was amazing!! They had wonderful flavors that went well together. One colleague had wygu tacos and the others had chicken enchilada verde. Everyone enjoyed their dishes. The dishes were a lot of food so it could be shared depending on how hungry you are. Tacos came in a set of 3. I would highly recommend and eat there again!

Stopped in for afternoon snack. Guess reservations are required and we didn’t have one. They were very accommodating and still seated us. They have valet parking here too. Looks like it can get busy here. Food was very good. Good portion sizes. Our server Eric s was very good. Very polite and professional. The complimentary chips and dips were excellent. Would i eat here again ? Definitely.

Happened upon this place Saturday ! Wow ! Best mimosa I have ever had ! The Bloody Mary bar was outstanding also. Started out with appetisers , yum ! And the main courses don't disappoint ! The outside patio looks like it would be a great place to meet for a drink when the weather permits !

I went to El Bolera for a Sunday brunch...it was very warm outside but we sat on the patio. It is a nice patio but better suited for cooler weather as there are no misters or fans to keep it cool. I enjoyed the variety of the salsas (they gave us 3 different flavors of salsas) and the breakfast I ordered seemed healthy ...I got the tacos con chorizo. The best part however was the attentive staff.

I stumbled across this restaurant by accident and was pleasantly surprised! Everything about it was unique and so different from the Americanized version of Mexican food. Margaritas were superb, guacamole was on point and perfectly portioned and I had the scallop risotto, which was excellent. I will definitely have dinner here again the next time I visit.

What's not to love? They have a large bar perfect for after-work drinks. I've also been here for lunch, brunch and dinner and yet to find something that I don't like. Great salsa and chips. Awesome margaritas. The rest of the menu doesn't disappoint either. There are a ton of Mexican food restaurants in Dallas, and I have been to my fair share. Some of them used to be good, but are not anymore. This is my new favorite Mexican food place. I'd highly recommend it to any locals Dallasites as well as tourists.

We had been two other times and were disappointed. But a coworker of ours wanted to go so we went on a Friday afternoon. Little did we know it was 1/2 price Lobster fajita day for lunch. The portion was amazing and the flavor was excellent. We plan to make it a Friday tradition!

We had dinner here with our two kids (11,9) and enjoyed the food, atmosphere and staff. Jasmine was our server and she was very attentive, while giving us space and time to enjoy our meal and time as a family. Our kids decided to share the pollo con mole tacos, Jasmine asked if they’d had mole before and when the said know she did a nice job explaining what mole was directly to them. I appreciated that she took the time to make sure they knew what they were getting! They enjoyed their tacos. I had the shrimp tacos and my husband had the waygu and chorizo tacos. My husband and I tried all three and found them all to be excellent. The other entrees we saw leaving the kitchen looked great too! The churros we had for dessert were fantastic too. The blackberry tequila punch was awesome, although at the same price as a plate of tacos maybe a bit on the pricey side! They also provide free chips and salsa. Great homemade chips and maybe the best salsa verde I’ve ever had. They do not have a kids menu printed, but when I asked Jasmine have a couple quesadilla options. They seemed very accommodating. They do not take reservations, but you can call ahead 30 minutes and get on the wait list if there is one. There was not when we was there. Photos included only show half of the churros. They looked so good we forgot to take a pic!

Nice casual atmosphere with outside seating. Had amazing snapper ceviche that was fresh crisp and flavorful. Then beef brisket enchiladas that were tasty but not too special. A nice touch was a delicious salsa that was not the typical tomato, onion, cilantro mix but a thin, dark sauce bursting with flavor. Would love to return and sit outside.

While there are several authentic Mexican food items, I enjoyed French Toast with Applewood Bacon. (about $15). The Coke was served in bottles. The French Toast included some authentic vanilla sweet white sauce along with butter.

After 10 minutes without any water being served, despite having chips and salsa, we decided that for $16 / average lunch price per person (no lunch specials) - we were too thirsty to stay. We don't mind paying for good food but we expect descent service as well.

Alex the bartender was an absolute delight. We shared the quesadillas and several glasses of wines while we waited to go to dinner at another spot so we will be back. Thank you for the friendly atmosphere and service.

Menu is full of interesting food choices. Would say South American, but most could be recognized as having similar components to the upscale Mexican restaurants. However, choice of seasonings was different and quite a nice departure from the usual Tex-Mex driven fare. Since it was our first time there, three of us went with a "waiter's suggestion" and tried the Wagyu. All pleased. Meat was tender and rice side absolutely delicious. More of the offerings here deserve to be explored. Parking can be a problem because of the museum next door, but is similar to most spots in the area. Was not too crowded, so museum let us park in one of their spots (appreciated, thanks!). We ate on the patio because good weather and had cheerful and quick service. Lunchtime, so no alcohol, but had a really well-made and flavorful espresso (good grind, good beans, good water). Pricey compared to casual Tex-Mex, but very reasonable for the area. We definitely will go back, with friends.

We enjoyed the chips and salsa, both of which we would rate a 5 and the margaritas were good, but we were all disappointed with our entrees. Service was at a snails pace. Would we go back? Per the wife, no.

My travel partner and I both decided that dinner here was our favorite food experience while on a business trip to Dallas. The service, food, and atmosphere were excellent! We could not say enough about how great the chips are! Everything we had was just great. Wish we had this level of restaurant closer to home. Try the churros for dessert!

If you are looking for the run of the mill Mexican restaurant (like the Applebees of Mexican), then this is not the place for you. However if you want delicious food made with unique ingredients, presented beautifully, by attentive servers, then you must go to El Bolero. Chili dusted chips & salsa - awesome Tacos - incredible Shredded pork entree (sorry, don't remember the name) - wonderful Drinks - Out of this world Server (our was named Angel) - Delightful Atmosphere- Upbeat. LOVED this restaurant. I wish 10 stars was possible.

We walked to this restaurant from the Renaissance hotel (20 min walk). Our walk did not disappoint! The food and service were excellent. The lunch special tacos - Al Pastor - were fantastic. They were flavorful and came with a pineapple salsa. The margaritas were fantastic. We initially grabbed a seat at the bar (the restaurant decor is fun and eclectic), but we moved outside because we were not crazy about the music that they were playing and it was loud. I believe our server's name was Natale. She was excellent, friendly and efficient. I would highly recommend this restaurant!

We've been to El Bolero for brunch a few times and really like the food. The service is a little sketchy at times, but first the food. We started with the tuna/avocado/mango tartare. Although it's a bit pricey at $15, the ingredients were fresh and tasty. It could have benefitted from some salt and additional citrus in it, I liked the ingredients. NB: I had to ask for salt and pepper which were not on any table, and it took way too long to get for a restaurant with so few occupied tables. For the main course I had the migas which were delicious. They come with potatoes and black beans, and were VERY yummy! My friend had the wagyu steak with tostadas/eggs. He loved it and it looked amazing. The drawback of this place is a bit of the ambiance and more of the staff. When we got there, the most was on the phone and didn't even look up at us when we stood there. He took his sweet time on the call which sounded like it was not business, and then finally looked at us and said "how many?". He grabbed menus and just walked away. We were supposed to guess that he wanted us to follow him. The rest of the time he was either texting or otherwise slacking off. He was wearing a Cowboys jersey which was totally out of place and not exactly right for working there. Our waiter was very pleasant but slow. He didn't have a ton of tables, so it's just him. The salt & pepper thing above wasn't cool because we were waiting for it to eat our food, so that was irritating. The ambiance is lacking because it's just a cinder block restaurant that they tried to decorate the best they could. There are random floor lamps which look completely out of place. The patio looks like a dog kennel, again being all cinder blocks and a high wall. Ignore the quirks and come for the food though. That's the important thing. Every time we have been (brunch or otherwise) the food has been very good and worth returning for.

Best of Dallas! Margarita was refreshing, ceviche was spectacular, and this is the fourth time I have had it! The ceviche alone is reason to go to EL BOLERO.

Great guacamole and chips are probably the best I have ever had. The red snapper ceviche and the tuna tartar were very good.

Went back for another work lunch and wanted to try something other than the tacos and enchiladas I had before. Pictures are of a fried shrimp appetizer followed by a meat over rice with salad over the top (sorry - I do not remember the name). Neither were very good. Quite a contrast to the excellent soft tacos and enchiladas I have had here before.

great service and the chips are awesome and salsa is very good but mild. They have a habanero sauce but....hot lol. Portions aren't huge but with free chips it's hard to complain

Live music a bonus but the real deal is the one two punch delivered by the eggs benedict over crab cakes (yup, real deal) and the very unique Michelada VERDE (with hints of cucumber, cilantro and tomatillo). Solid service, and look forward to coming back in coolr weather to enjoy what looks to be an inviting outdoor space. Wifey had the chilaquiles and they were off the chain too, with chicken that was exceptionally fresh and flavorful. Check it out!

Went to El Bolero for Father's Day with the family after reading a review of several new and different Mexican restaurants in the Dallas Morning News. It's located at the edge of the Design District, a hip somewhat newer area of town for restaurants and other attractions. We went around 1:00 PM and called ahead to let them know we were on the way (they don't take reservations, but if you call ahead, it will get you in a little quicker). The place is one open space and it was hopping; we got in after about 20-25 minutes. I had Crabcake Eggs Benedict (a little skimpy), my wife had chicken tacos in handmade corn tortillas (yum) and our daughter had some other chicken concoction that was reported to be very tasty. Started off with a carafe of Bloody Mary's which was served with way too much ice in the carafe - when you'd pour, all you'd get is ice, kind of a mess. They were good, but order sans ice. Hostess and waitstaff were very pleasant. The place has a nice little patio out front that might be nice in cooler weather. We will definitely return and hopefully some of the kinks will have been worked out, the place seems to have a lot of potential and is different from your Tex-Mex staple (which I like too).

Fantastic brunch, lots of interesting Mexican twists on classics and $5 mimosas and margaritas at weekend brunch

We came here for a quick lunch and it was delicious! We had an order of guacamole and it was good but i wish had had some more spice to it. Next we had the lobster tacos (delicious) and the mahi mahi tacos (really good) and the cilantro rice was delicious! The seasonal cocktail with strawberries and blackberries was absolutely delicious!

Very cool place, and we went right at 10 and had no wait. I had the chilaquiles verde, and they were excellent. My husband had the crab cakes with poached egg - tons of crab and also delicious. They each came with a side of onions, potatoes and peppers that were cooked perfectly. My favorite was probably the Mi Chileda though - they offer two versions - one traditional, and one green with celery, tomatillos, etc. Super yummy and refreshing. We will definitely go back.

This is a trendy, classy, casual Mexican restaurant that I loved! The menu is expansive and enticing. We went for brunch and I had the excellent A G U A C A T E Y P O L L O salad. It had actual sliced, roasted (not grilled) chicken breast that was the best chicken on a salad that I have ever had! And the dressing, made with cojita cheese, was delicious. The lettuce was fresh and crisp and I ate every bite. He had shrimp tacos that he said were very good. A sign claimed they had lobster fajitas on Fridays that we can't wait to try. Service was good although the food was slow to come out.

Great food here, but don't come hungry. The tacos are about the size of a 20 ounce drink cup lid. I had the lobster tacos & while they were great, they weren't $18 great (for 3). The Oilman's Margarita was a great spin on this oil Barron city. It was black with a gold sugared rim & a rock-sugar swizzle stick. Chips & salsa spot on. Service great. Portions just smaller than expected.

Great service by Miguel!!! Lobster ceviche was great. Would recommend! Fresh chips and salsa as we sat. The Lobster ceviche was refreshing! Great small bar to sit at too!

What a great surprise to find this place near our hotel. In a town with hundreds of good Mexican restaurants this one really stands out for flavor and presentation. A must is the Black margarita named the Oilman.. Código 1530 tequila, lime juice, charred agave, Napoleon Mandarin, gold stars, gold salt rim, and garnished with rock candy ...OMG...delish. They use fresh, high quality ingredients to create delicious made from scratch dishes that are inspired by recipes found across the vast and diverse locales of Mexico. Just the look of the dishes make it look different from all other Mexican restaurants. Viva’ Mexico...my new favorite place in Dallas... They have a patio and free valet parking.

Mexican food prepared by a chef. Taste is excellent, presentation superb, service is great, atmosphere is mid to high class. Great place to spend the evening in the decor district

I walked here from the Sheraton - about 4 blocks away. As a practicing Vegan, I was able to find just one vegetarian option on the menu (which is pretty good for me, I try to adjust to the circumstances). I told the lady at the arrival desk about my requests and she was able to understand it (a big deal for me, personally). So, I got a 3 taco + rice take out and it costed about $20 approx. It came with chips, salsa and a tomatillo dip. It was fairly tasty (but I must admit, I was hungry) and I will choose this place again if I am around this area.

Small size, so possible wait at peak hours. However it was well worth it. Great Queso options, and the fajitas were fantastic. Amazing drink options. Would definitely come back. outdoor bar area that would be great in the late fall when it cools down.

We visited for brunch with two other couples and the staff and food were just great. Cool vibe and decor. Sangria and chilequiles were the best!!

We stumbled upon this restaurant and were pleasantly surprised at how good it is. The guacamole with bacon was amazing along with the seasoned chips. The pork tacos were very good as well. I can’t wait to go again and try more of their dishes.

It’s great when venues know how to wear many hats; El Bolero, a noticeable touch of Mexico in Dallas’s Design District does just that. It’s not only a wonderful place for a delicious meal, and cocktails, but also an amazing option for afternoon or early evening meetings. Staff members, such as Luis, are so attentive to your every need that you and your guest are assured a fabulous experience. Maybe we’ll enjoy El Bolero together; wouldn’t that be nice? Xoxo Lorenzo!

Was heading to Uncommon Market (another wonderful find by the way) to do some shopping and spotted El Bolero on my way there. It was lunchtime, I'd not been there before and figured I'd give it a shot. The experience started when I spotted the huge, wooden, architectural salvaged doors out front. Then off to the left was a patio that would make a nice place to sit on a cooler spring or fall day. Was sat at a table near the bar, the place was not packed but busy, and while the wait staff was friendly and all, things here moved a little slow (kind of like in Mexico so I just relaxed and went with it. Had the guacamole, it was great. Their tortilla chips are spiced which I don't particularly care for and would love an option to get the chips naked. Had a nice salad and the wagyu beef street tacos. They were incredible. And the rice they served on the side was outstanding. It was green, which, let's face it, is not a normal color for rice. But turns out it was seasoned with a lot of cilantro (or maybe basil?); regardless, it was delicious. I am not often in the Dallas Design District (which by the way is awesome and yet another hidden gem in Dallas), but I would not hesitate to stop by for another meal when I am. Now, based on the above, don't think of this place as just another street taco place. It's way more than that. Two thumbs up from me.

This place was great, of course, we were celebrating my birthday in July. Food was excellent, and the waiter was great. Great atmosphere and in a great area.

We came back to have the grilled whole fish that was so good in last visit, but were told it had been removed from the menu. It went downhill fro there. We ordered the flank steak and pan seared red snapper instead; although they were good, the portions were small considering the high prices nearing $30 each. We did like the chop salad a lot. Service was so-so that we had to ask for water and salsa refills. We asked for plates to share the dishes, but were told to use the side plates instead.

While driving into Dallas from the airport, someone in the car said, " There's El Bolero. How about eating there?" We pulled in after no discussion ( amazing in itself) and we were all so glad we did. This is not a Tex Mex place and the food is rich in flavor and just so good. Among us, we had pulled pork tacos, some kind of enchilada which tasted like none I've ever had, plus salsa that I never eat but did! Even the chips were a toasty color and not from a bag or box. So, if you are ever in that area, be sure to stop. My only regret is that I didn't try their lobster tacos which are a Friday special.

This Oak Lawn location is wonderful! The staff is superb. I go 2-3X a month, by myself, and always feel welcome and comfortable. Bartenders are knowledgeable and make a very, very good Margarita. I usually order a drink and a take out --- just wait until you taste their chips and salsa...no other restaurant has chips like this; they are huge and warm and just-the-right amount of spicy. I recommend El Bolero to anyone who loves Mexican food done to perfection!

I’ve eaten here 3 times and have had different dinners and drinks each time. The food is beautiful and tastes awesome, too. Tonight I enjoyed a Lavender and Rosemary-infused Tequila Margarita. Amazing. Then shrimp tacos which were an explosion of flavor. I can’t overstate how much I enjoy this friendly and delicious restaurant.

We have made several more workweek lunch trips here with coworkers and visitors from out of town. Conveniently located in the Design District area. They have valet parking, but you can find spaces in the small strip mall parking lot. Good chips (with dry spice shaken on them), and three different salsas served on the table. Freshly made soft tacos and Enchiladas Verdes seem to be the go-to lunch choices. (See the pictures)

Table of 6 - We started with tuna tartare and some shrimp and lobster queso fundido. We moved on the an array of varied main courses. I enjoyed the whole fish which was a branzino, a couple had the chicken enchiladas, chili relleno, tacos, and steak. All looked and tasted yummy. Most of the dishes were served with a white rice and one or two came with black beans, not the typical Tex-mex service, their menu was a fresh take on classic Mexican.

I had an early supper at El Bolero. I ordered the fish tacos of the day-mahi mahi. They were delicious! The service was excellent and the margaritas were delish. It's close to the Anatole where I was staying for a conference, but I'll go out of my way to eat here again next time I'm in Dallas.

They have a terrific upstairs space for large teams or gatherings. We hosted a team dinner in this space which has its own bar, bathroom, and space for a long table. The service was excellent, the pacing was great, and the food good. It is an affordable and high quality option for these types of events.

We went in for our first time Friday night. We sat at the bar for dinner and drinks. The service was crazy bad.We learned the name of one bartender (Guillermo) because we had to yell it every time we needed something. Otherwise, I'm not sure he'd have ever checked on us. And the food, supposedly Mexican food, had no flavor, no spices. We had the carne asada, the meat was actually good, but the rest BLAND. Same with the guacamole. There are MANY better Mexican restaurants in Dallas. It's a shame because the finish out in the restaurant is great.

I visited this restaurant mid-week for a business meeting. It is in a great location for lunch or dinner of those travelling. It is within walking distance of the hotels on I35. We arrived a little before noon and there was may 8 people sitting. there were 6 in our party and were seated quickly. The restaurant offers valet parking which can be handy during peak hours. By 12:15 there was a good crowd and since this is an open space can get a little noisy but we were able to speak easily to get our business done. Waiter was attentive but not intrusive. We had the homemade guacamole and ceviche as appetizers. You could tell both were made very fresh and both were delicious. I had the chicken enchiladas that had a Central American vibe to them. It sat on a bed of rice, topped with a green chile sauce and a line of sour cream. The chicken and tortillas were cooked perfectly. Three came in the meal which was more than enough. We also had two pitchers of margaritas that the server attentively poured to keep our glasses full. All in all a great meal. Although I loved the enchiladas the street tacos a couple of the others ordered looked amazing and received great compliments. If you want to miss the noise arrive before noon, but other than that come expecting very well done food and great service.

We visited this restaurant for the first time last week and we're already making plans to go back this week. The chips were some of the best I've had, and salsas were bursting with flavors. We order the beef fajitas for dinner and likewise, it was the best fajita I had in Dallas. Super good. The service was impeccable and prompt. Thank you for a job well done.

This was our second visit. The food is so good that we had to try it again even though the service and attentiveness of the staff was so lacking on our first visit. They had not been open for long at the time of our first visit so we though it was worth a second attempt. Very little had changed. There was a different hostess and she was working very hard so I would give her props had I obtained her name. There was a wait for a table so we sat at the bar and had a drink. The amount of wine I was poured was definitely on the light side. While we waited I continued to observe the bar staff and they simply did not seem to be having a good time. I am sure you have been to places where the staff appears to enjoy working there and places where they do not; this was the latter. I watched a few more wine glasses get poured, confirming mine was light, and could not believe my eyes when I saw the bar tender pour what should have been two glasses of the same wine. H had enough to fill one glass and quickly ran out on the second so instead of opening a new bottle, he topped that glass off with two other bottles of red that were almost empty (neither were the same as the original wine being poured). Real classy! We were seated at the exact same table behind the hostess stand that we were on our first visit so I hoped this would be a redemption of sorts, but it was not. This time our food was given to someone else by mistake (exactly what the server told us) so we waited an excessive amount of time for our entree to arrive. We were not offered anything to make up for the error other than an apology and our long night got a little bit longer. I end this review as I started it--the food is very good, but not enough to overcome the other issues in the restaurant, of which there are several.

If you are in Dallas for Market and want authentic Mexican food done right, El Bolero is within walking distance or a cheap Uber ride from your Market Center hotel. You'll be glad to know that something other than Tex Mex is right here in the Design District. For you Rick Bayless fans, El Bolero does a fine job of following his formula for fresh ingredients, home-style recipes and traditional roots from the kitchens of Mexico CIty. This casual, family-friendly shop pushes all the right buttons of what one expects from a Mexico City eatery. Taste and flavor is everything. Easily muddied by some, El Bolero's chefs know subtlety in flavor...they know ingredients...they know freshness...and there are no mistakes. I had the Pollo con Ancho y Cacao street tacos with a bowl of lime rice...pulled roasted chicken simmered in ancho chili with fresh avocado and queso blanco stuffed in three masa tortillas. Frankly, it was all I could handle after gorging non-stop on the best chips and salsa verde in Dallas. They custom mix micheladas with your choice of Mexican beers, fresh lime and chili-rimmed glasses. El Bolero's outdoor patio is misted and has HDTV with pillows to lounge on. Inside the bar is always hopping and there are quiet corners to talk business, The Dallas design crowd packs this place at lunch, especially on Friday for Lobster Tacos. On your way out make sure to grab a cajeta caramel sucker...I love those things!

Free valet out front. Outdoor and indoor seating. Food was good. Had the chicken enchiladas which came on a bed of white rice. Bolero Margarita was supposed to be special, but I think the tequila they used was too harsh. Not smooth at all. A little expensive for what I got.

From the start with a pina colada, to empanadas for an appetizer,, my husband had fajitas and I had the scallops with lobster and shrimp rice and in the end tres Leche cake and a flan. Food was amazing, cooked perfectly the lobster and shrimp rice was the best one I ever ate. Waitstaff was friendly and helpful with selections.

Met our sister in law while in Dallas for lunch. I had chicken tacos, she had vegetarian tacos and my hubby had fish tacos. All were marvelous. Ordered the black bean purée. And the rice that came with the tacos- awesome and wonderful also. Had a nice leisurely lunch and caught up. Didn't feel rushed and had great service. One of my new favorite spots now when we are in Dallas. You will love it.

We went to their new Ft Worth location for an anniversary dinner with two other couples. Only one in our party had been to the Dallas location and liked it. So we were all excited to try a new place. Great location / pretty restaurant. First thing, we had to go get the manager to get water at our table. Finally got a waiter. We asked several questions about the food once we were finally able to order. Specifically one in our party asked about the spicyness of a dish and was told nothing on the menu is spicy. My husband ordered the same dish and he loves hot & spicy foods and he literally could not eat his dish, his lips were burning and it was just too much. Our friend had to switch her meal with her husband - she couldn't eat it at all. I ordered grilled shrimp tacos. When it arrived, I thought the shrimp was raw but realized they had sliced the shrimp in half (???) so basically i got three little shrimp sliced in half, so one shrimp on each taco. Completely over-priced for this and ridiculous. Another person ordered chicken enchiladas and she did not like them either and did not finish her dish. When we complained to the waitress she really could have cared less. We wanted to order the churros for dessert but everything was taking so long we did not. Took forever to get our bill and when we left the manager said, Hope you will be back and our answer was We will not. After he heard our story, his answer was the restaurant is new and they are still working out the "kinks". I get that but really this is your 2nd restaurant, you should know what to do by now. Sorry El Bolero! We were really disappointed.

Dropped in without reservations and ate at the bar. Great atmosphere and a good buzz. The service staff were friendly and food tasty. Recommend the Mojitos!!

Really friendly place and the food was wonderful! I had the scallops with lobster rice! And a fabulous margarita!

Was there last week for an event planning meeting with three girlfriends. The place was lively, a good crowd. Server was awesome, very attentive and accommodating but not overly so. Loved the chips and assorted salsas, tasty. I ordered a salad which was just okay, but the tacos and enchiladas that my friends had looked wonderful and they enjoyed them. Good selection of Tequila, will go for dinner next time so I can sample some. Only drawback was the high table we were seated at. The seats were stools with low backs and it wasn't comfortable.