El Borracho Reviews

I was looking for a lunch spot in downtown Seattle and happened to stumble upon this place. Located right outside the crowds of Pike Place Market, El Borracho has an entrance on 1st Avenue with patio seating (indoor seating optional too). Talk about perfect for people watching while indulging on a taco! My waitress was friendly and suggested chips, guacamole, and salsa. Sure! Sign me up! I was pleasantly surprised at how fresh and tasty this “appetizer” was so my expectations for the entrees were set high. I ordered the Tinga de Pollo and Papas y Poblanos tacos and a chicken quesadilla. While the portions were a great size I was a bit let down on the flavor. I wish if everything had more seasoning. I left El Borracho full, but not satisfied. This is probably a great place to visit if you’re grabbing a drink and need to munch on some chips and dip though.

My husband and I are big mexican food fans so thought we would check it out for dinner one night! We liked the location and the chance to people watch! I ordered a variety of tacos rice and beans, and my husband had a giant burrito! The food was great but not the best mexican I've had! I had a fantastic Margarita made the right way fresh squeezed lime! We enjoyed the eclectic atmosphere! !

The nachos with shredded pork were the best ones I have ever eaten! The street tacos were good as well, but very small. I'd definitely go back to El Borracho.

Really fresh and delicious soft tacos. I had the CARNITAS coca-cola braised shredded pork and I was kind of skeptical, but they were very tasty and tender. The margaritas are great too - premium and not watered down - hence the name, El Borracho!. I will return next time I am in Seattle.

Terrible tacos, no flavor!! This has to be the worst tasting Mexican Food I’ve eaten in years. The server was really nice, just the food was bottom tier at best will never be back

Great vegan options in the regular menu and happy hour menu. Happy Hour has $1 and $2 tacos. Guacamole was really good too. Must try habanero margarita( VERYYYYY SPICY) and jalapeno pineapple cocktail. Great quick service even though the place was packed. Would definitely go back.

Food was good, to average. Service was slooooowwwww. Maybe service would've been better, the food would be better, ?

Menu was not at all self explanatory and when we asked for clarification the waitress was so rude saying you can pick all of these meats doing the Vanna White wave over the menu. Didn't have basics like enchiladas, fajitas etc. Carnitas just tasted like cinnamon. The salsa and food was very bland. Wasn't impressed.

10/9/2021 Recommend? Yes. I love that it's a stand alone yet very close to Pike Place so very easy to do your touristy things and then have a nice sit down meal without having to look for seating. I ordered 3 tacos and the horchata. The tacos were jackfruit cochinitas, seitan barbacoa, and tajin shrymp. My favorite was definitely the tajin shrymp. Very well seasoned and the texture was on point. I personally think it's better seasoned than the regular shrimp tacos I've had in the past. It would really take it to the next level if they put a little bit of char on it. I didn't like the horchata here very much because it's not as thick and creamy as I personally like. A bit more watery, but it was definitely loaded with cinnamon. If you've never had horchata before, it tastes similar to cinnamon toast crunch cereal milk after you've eaten the cereal but better.

We’ve been here twice and came back because of the service and yummy nachos. Nice variety of drinks and salsas! Inexpensive menu and located at Pike Place Market with outside seating!

Had a very good lunch here after seeing the sites in Pikes Place. Ordered several different tacos and some beer. The best tacos were the El Pastor and Carnitas. Tortillas had a home made taste with plenty of filling and good chips and salsa.

Solid tacos & Mexican food. I'd say some of the best tacos in Seattle. The music could use a little help.

The WORST service ever. Some girl got cut off and they said it was me???? And then when I was not that girl they apologized. THEN cut me off??? rude. Do not go there unless u want to be treated like a peasant broad.

Had some tasty Happy Hour street tacos and margaritas here; I had yet to have any really great Mexican food while in Seattle, so this most definitely did the trick. We ordered several street tacos, they're smaller tacos, ranging from $1-2, but at that price, it's hard to complain much. My favorite tacos were the chicken, the meat was marinated nicely, and the chicken was juicy; carnitas tacos were ok, I found it to have a bit too much cinnamon for my liking, but that seemed to be the favorite choice of the restaurant. They have several sauces/salsas to choose from to top off your taco, and be sure to try one of their house-infused margaritas.

We stopped in for a late lunch while visiting our daughter in Ballard. The menu offers many speciality type tacos including mushroom, beef tongue and rabbit to name a few along with other standard ingredient tacos. All tacos can be "upgraded" to burritos which we chose. We ordered the chips and salsa which were served warm (our favorite) along with the shredded pork and Cremini mushroom burritos and the shredded pork carnitas. The entire staff was extremely friendly and the service was prompt. The food was very flavorful and of high quality ingredients (you can tell). We couldn't eat everything so our server not only boxed up our leftovers but gave us some ideas on how to enjoy our food the next day. I never knew that sautéed burritos could be that good!

Stopped in here this week for chips and salsa and to decide if we wanted to stay for dinner. Nope. The chips hD a funny after taste and the salsa certainly came out of a jar. Much better Mexican fare is available in Seattle

They have great tacos and more. This is a tasty out of the ordinary taco joint. Great service, loads of salsas, and list of different fillings for tacos and burritos. The burritos are a really good size if you're hungry! The blackened fish taco and the shrimp taco were perfectly seasoned and the prices are very reasonable. Give the limeade a try too. This was at the Ballard location.

We love Mexican good and margaritas , great atmosphere and very good food . The staff tries their best to acomódate even when they are super busy We went twice

Another delicious and fun find in Pike Place Market. Start off with one of their infused margaritas. I had the cantaloupe and it was amazing. Taco wise, their options are huge. And it's not just tacos. Nachos, quesadillas, burritos, etc. can all be customized with one of the many proteins. Their vegetarian selection is pretty large too. Instead of just having one or two, there are at least 4 or 5 types you can order up, and each of them is great. Another feature is their hot sauce selection, with about 5-6 house-made selections.

Fun atmosphere, friendly service. The margaritas were strong, and the selection of tacos was awesome, and not too expensive.

Two days in Seattle and came here both days. One of the best nachos I’ve ever had....and I consider myself something of a nachos connoisseur. Style wise it’s more of a bar. The surroundings are basic, but the food is amazing. Right outside pike market so easy to find. Seating inside and out. Not quite sawdust on the floor, but not far off. Definitely a cheap eat.

Chips and salsa were fantastic! There are very interesting taco filling choices, including beef tongue, rabbit, lamb, and duck. The Taco de Camarones (shrimp) were outstanding!

At a recommendation we went to the Ballard Sunday Farmers Market. Too cold of a day for us to eat outside. Saw a Mexican place and in we went. We’re not huge eaters so my husband ordered a lamb taco, I had the fish taco, both with a side of beans and rice. Extra advocado. Crispy warm chips and housemade salsa. One margarita. $30 plus tip. The best mexican food we’ve had in a very very long time. Highly recommend this place!

They have a good pineapple margarita with jalapeno that can be made a bit spicier to taste. i'd recommend it a little spicier than normal to get a decent kick. Chili spice rim makes it pretty perfect.

Not sure why this place is so well rated. I went for happy hour so food and drinks were cheap. The margarita had an odd after taste- not cheap liquor, just bad mix flavor. The tacos were bad. “Pastor” must mean large chunks of gristle. I should have gone to the grocery instead.

This place is amazing was a place I did not realize they were a plant-based restaurant I still sat down enjoy the cold beers cold Waters and mazing atmosphere I would recommend this place for a good chips and salsa all the food looked amazing it just was not for me very friendly great location

We were looking for a place to get a drink and we found it here. The drinks were super. We got the house margarita. Seating outside was side with the weather. Loved to people watch.

Had a blast eating at El Borracho. We can be critical of Mexican food and frown on anyone who varies from the classic home style taqueria. El Borracho has taken the taqueria style and made it a bit gourmet, with amazing tacos made of different meats and toppings. It was really just delicious. Amazing Margaritas. Fun atmosphere, creative menu, great service. We will go back, especially for lunch

Our group was hungry and just looking for a place that had seating available. Boy did we hit it right at El Borracho. Maybe it was timing or maybe it was fate...either way we came out winners. With 6 people in our group finding a place to eat on 4th of July weekend was a challenge. The nacho's were awesome, others in our group ordered Al Pastor, Carnitas, and the chicken in either tacos or burritos. Everyone loved the food, and we are lovers of good Mexican cuisine. Being from SoCal we frequent a lot of very good Mexican restaurants. This place is great.

This establishment delivered as expected - good quality food at a reasonable price. The burrito was filling and I was pleased that I missed the starter - it would have been too much. In and out in about 30 minutes - ideal if you're really on a tight timescale.

Coming from California, we have our choices of great Mexican food. This place is wonderful, the street tacos are wonderful, Margaritas just right, staff friendly and helpful.

Few problems to begin with, we we seated at bar then told to move as we didn't have id to sit there and order drinks, once we were moved we ordered beef burrito which was stone cold !!! Got the attention of the server to advise that food was cold she then asked would we like fresh ones made !!!! 😡really no give us back the cold ones !!! We then got fresh order which was ok but was soured by overall experience, if staff get a grip on customer service and deliver food warm without tying to kill their patrons they could have a hit on their hands here

...which is why children aren't allowed after a certain hour. We enjoyed having a beer or two in this lively place, and had planned to come back for some tacos later. We didn't get to do that, but we could see that they would be good. We will try to go back next time we are in Seattle.

I literally felt like I went back in time to Seattle in the mid 90’s when food wasn’t cheap and was almost always mediocre and the staff couldn’t care a dead sheep if you ever came in again or even went right out and told everyone how awful your lunch was, they literally couldn’t be bothered. The best thing about the whole experience was a colorful piece of art over the table.

Nice bar, food was good, and staff was friendly. Nice place to stop for a quick taco and beer. Stop by...

Happy hour also includes $1.00 tacos. Tried all 6, the pork being the best. Chips and salsa were good and the El Cheapo Margarita is the way to go.

The one thing that attracted is to the place is the variety of vegetarian options in a he menu. The place is small, with some outdoor seating. The service seemed a bit rushed but their were able to accommodate a corn tortilla aversion. The food was tasty and reasonably priced. TheMargaritas were good, fresh squeezed limes helped!

We stopped by for dinner recently while staying in downtown Seattle for a little vacay. I figured the Pikes place establishments would surely be safe bets. Well, I should have done more research. While the environment was pretty cool, & our servers were VERY nice, the food was a big let down... I might even say some of the worst I've had. The pork carnitas Taco & el Pastor taco meat was very 'saucy' but the sauce was bland... even a dash of salt would have helped... but CARNITAS are traditionally not supposed to be saucy! It should be a perfect marriage of seasoned pork that is tender yet 'crisp'...not sure they should be called carnitas otherwise. We also ordered black beans & the green rice. Not only were they bland & flavorless, they were served almost 'cold' as well. We did order some various margaritas & I can say they ALL were quite good. Chips-n-salsa was pretty solid too. I can definitely recommend this place for chips, salsa & drinks. Maybe give it a try (order just one Taco perhaps?)& see for yourself. It could have just been a bad day. Go slow if you decide to give it a go.

Really good food awesome staff. The burrito here was amazing. Great people at the bar. Good selection of hot sauce. Good prices.

Got a seat in lower area. Had a lemon-lime non alcoholic drink that was tart and tasty. Ordered the chips/dip/guacamole and was plain. Under $5, but small portion. No chunks of tomato, onion, or cilantro. Lacked spicing or hotness. Ordered three different tacos. Good price. Added guacamole and cheese. Sour cream not offered. Came in at under $5 each. Came on small, soft taco shell and overstuffed. Medium sized Shrimp came in whole pieces, but fish was hard to find and chicken one came shredded. TV screens available

We ordered the salad, tacos and a burrito which was huge. The salsa bar was great but would be better if the salsas were labelled and if they had small serving dishes to take the salsa rather than ppl taking the whole container to their table. The staff were so great and friendly. A great spot to try for sure!!!

Tons of options. The soyrizo potato tacos were so good. The lengua and rabbit tacos were a hit. They have 5 or 6 fresh salsas/hot sauces, and the margaritas were amazing. Had the pineapple jalapeño and the cucumber honeydew. We got there a little after 11 when they opened on a Friday, and by the time we were leaving there was a substantial wait to be seated. This place is GOOD! If you aren't in a hurry and can wait for a seat, it is totally worth checking out.

Hey, we were in Seattle for a long weekend, and it was Cinqo de Mayo so we had to get a margarita or three or ... more. They have lots of them, and all of the ones we tried were good. Also, we couldn't get enough of the chips, salsa, and guacamole. The server was great -- good tips on the menu and great suggestions for sightseeing.

We needed a break from all the walking and crowds of people so popped into this cute place. Service was great and all we had was margaritas which was tasty I had a cucumber mint and my hubby had tamindo (I think) and we liked but as usual drink on the week side but still good and great presentation. A plate full of nacho went past us and looked amazing but we weren't hungry yet. Would go again

TO. DIE. FOR...!!!!! Best street tacos in Seatown. You've got to try the duck. I was skeptical but ordered them on a friends recommendation. One word: AWESOME..!!!

We went in around 10pm for a late dinner. We ordered the nachos with chorizo, and they came out without the chorizo. They were just okay - nothing special. We both got house margaritas and they were not good. I will admit I am somewhat of a margarita snob, but this was bad. Whatever booze they put in there was not good. I didnt even drink mine. Our server was friendly and the atmosphere was good. We noticed a lot of people eating tacos, so maybe that is what you should order if you go :)

From the street it looked a bit basic but the food was well worth it with seven size servings at a great price and margaritas that are delicious ! If I go back to Seattle I will for sure go here again

The service was really fast but the food was horrible. They didn’t add rice in my burrito even when I asked for it and the black beans are terrible. Also, a couple hours later, I got a horrible stomach ache. I do not recommend going here unless you are vegan. Even then though, I really do not recommend going here.

I am a local and it's a real place to eat. Better value eats, decent drinks and gets a bit of all people that visit. There are tables outside on the sidewalk(not really sunshine) and simple inside dining. The staff are very friendly and i will continue to return.

I gave it a 3 as my husband and I did not care for it, but our friends who are vegan loved it. We both had the tocos off the happy hour menu and tried all the ones with meat - that was all that was on them and fairly tasteless. On the other hand our friends tried all the vegan options and said they were outstanding. The guacamole was good, but we won't return unless we need a vegan option

Huge choice of burritos and tacos with exotic ingredients like duck, rabbit, goat etc. Delicious nachos with guacamole.

2 of us from a party of 4 went to get a table and hostess man was very rude about their policy about having everyone in your party present to occupy a larger table ! (mind you I can totally understand the policy and had no issue with it) So we waited at a smaller table until the 2 other people came. Then when asked about where the restroom is was totally put out and rude again! The wait staff was great and the food was above average but that one employee makes us not want to go there again . The restaurant is in the middle of downtown and Pike Place so very busy prob all the time , not sure why he is so grumpy to paying customers? Maybe needs a change of career 😬

Great atmosphere in a small friendly mexican taco bar. Good range of beers and tacos and similar Mexican food. Reasonably priced

The good thing about this taqueria is the vegetarian options, though the meat alternative taco my husband ordered lacked flavor. I had a couple chicken tacos which were better. I ordered a side of rice and beans which was not brought out with the rest of my food, but this was quickly remedied. The salsa was good, and the service was pleasant, and we were able to be seated right away on a busy night.

We were excited to eat here after our ferry tour. Be aware that if you have children, you can't go in. It's only 21 and older. Not sure why ... Wish we had known that before we went.

We decided to hit El Borracho for happy hour to sample their food menu. We ordered a few cocktails off the happy hour menu. They were strong and hit the spot on a hot day. All the staff were friendly, efficient, and helpful explaining the menu. We started with chips, salsa, and guacamole. The chips were hot and fresh. The guacamole was heavy on the lime, cilantro, and salt. So delishious. I would have ordered 2 more orders and been satisfied, but wanted to try the tacos. Out of the 8 tacos we like the chorizo con papas and Al Pastor the best. Everything tasted fresh and filling. I look forward to going back and trying the nachos.

Best Taqueria I've been to in the states. A must go before a show at the Showbox. The beef tongue tacos were the best I've had anywhere!

Had some of the best Mexican food even found in Seattle! Highly recommend the hibiscus margaritas, the guacamole, and the salsa! However, the service could be a bit better! We had a group of 6 and drinks and orders were hard to get straight. But focus on the food and have a lot of patience and you’ll have a pleasant experience.

First off my cadillac marg was $35 with tax and tip . We had 2 margs (and you pay separately at the bar ) $70 1 guac and chips 1 taco cold and dry (yuck) 1 burrito total $132 Plus we had to hop up and down to order at the bar then use the menu with a qr code , fetch our own condiments ... Next night we went to a different place that someone who lives there said to go to nearby...Casa or Plaza Girabaldi - across from the Climate Pledge Center. It was really good

On a business trip we ended up eating at this place. The place is small but the food and drinks are amazing. Their hot sauce bar is fun to try variety. Best Mexican food I've had in the U.S (I think)!

It was a larger group (35+) and the staff couldn't have been nicer. Well planned, well thought out. I was a designated driver so I was only drinking water and they kept it full all the time. Would recommend to anyone wanting great food and a great time.

We had such a great time here. The drinks and food are really well priced. We got hibiscus margaritas with sugar and cinnamon on the rim-yummy! The waitresses were extra special and really made us feel special too.

We were looking for Asian food and stopped here for some drinks. The vibe was so good we decided to stay and eat, the food, drinks and waitress was awesome! Tamarindo margarita are amazing! Ever in Seattle give the Mexican bar a chance, will be back!

All vegan/plant based food - very delicious. Good cocktails too. Very relaxed feel would definitely recommend for a quick bite and a cocktail.

Fish burrito and the assorted tacos were great. Chips and salsa good too. Homemade lemonade is very good. No ambiance or family friendly.

Delicious food and friendly staff! A must if you like Mexican food. Crazy meat options for the burritos and tacos!

Good tacos and chips with salsa for dinner. Cosy place, nice atmosphere. Couldn't drink alcohol though because I did not have my passport with me (I am not US citizen) and they requested one. So, with passport probably even more fun :-)

I got there in search of a beer and something to eat as an easy snack. I made the wrong order, but was happy anyway when I saw the huge dish of nachos. A bit too creamy and greasy for my tastes, though.

Seemed to be a little short staffed and unorganized. Food was good. Wife & I enjoyed eating outside, LOTS of people watching in the area.

Two of us grabbed a table here to get a quick bite. The atmosphere is warm and friendly, and our waitress was really welcoming. We ordered our food and it came within 10 minutes and was soo delicious. Between us we ordered the chicken tinga (the chicken is super tasty), and chorizo and potato burritos. It could have done with some more heat, but I like a lot of spice in my food. The sizes were really big, and it was hard to finish (this is only a bonus in my book), so if you're not too hungry, you could easily order one burrito and a few tacos to share. The margaritas was refreshing after a long day, and the beer was great. We would definitely come back again.

This place was just horrible. One night in town and honestly the worst food and service I've ever experienced.

I went with a friend and had a very pleasant experience! Loved the vibe of the place, the menu offers a big variety of choice, I had the "lengua" burrito and would definitely recommend it to anyone. The staff was nice and friendly, I will go back to try different options for sure.

Awesome place. Cool atmosphere. Great music. Great service and most importantly great food. If you're wanting Mexican in Seattle go here.

We spend a lot of time eating out and I was blown away by the authentic menu and salsa flavor. By far my favorite Mexican restaurant... It's just too bad we can only stop there once a year! What a great little place. If you love authentic Mexican food, you will love El Borracho!

Came here for a lunch on a sat it was full and had a great atmosphere. Staff all really good, explained menu choices and kept drinks coming. Food all nice and tasty, decent portion sizes and not bad prices.

We have eaten here twice on our trip because the food is great. Both times we were told we had to wait for a table in the section where minors were allowed. The first time they seated someone else at the table being prepared for us and we ended up waiting 15 extra minutes. The second time at the street entrance they told us it’s a 10 minute wait so we went to the other door inside the market and saw an empty table in the family area which they disgruntledly prepped for us in 1 minute. Don’t know what they have against families unless they make more money on alcohol sales... anyway great food. The cabrito tacos were delicious.

We ate here on our first night in Seattle. It's certainly a vibrant location, opposite a strip club! We ate outside and enjoyed people watching...! Great tasty tacos, efficient/friendly service. We were pleased with our choice of restaurant. Good prices.

A hole in the wall with limited indoor seating. We went for the seafood tacos and were told they were out of all seafood (odd for an early dinner on a Saturday night). Had to ask for chips and salsa when other tables received them upon sitting down. Waitress was pleasant but rushed and distracted. Food was very good with complex flavors. Tasted fresh and the tortillas appeared homemade.

The food was nice, as were the margaritas. There was no fish or shrimp available which was disappointing. Strange atmosphere- we were given a table out the back and it was rather dark and cold. The thing that let it down in particular was the service - the waitress was so ‘efficient’ and abrupt she didn’t give you time to ask anything, was impatient that I didn’t fully understand the menu. Felt we were an inconvenience to her that just needed to be dealt with - sad as all my other Seattle dining experiences have had really friendly waiters. It might be that she was just having a bad day - if not she is in the wrong job!

Wow...this place's food was REALLY good...and definitely not what I was expecting! Since its in a very touristy area, I thought it would be your typical run-of-the-mill Mexican food, but I was wrong! Their burritos were top-notch...so much so that I'm STILL thinking of how good my food was here and now its two days later! I definitely recommend this place!! My friends and I stopped here after getting done with a conference in the area, and wanted some food before heading out of town. We got one of the larger tables in the back, which was nice since the place was pretty busy. We did have to ask for chips and salsa/guac, but hey, they had a lot of tables and overall the waitstaff did fairly well and were acceptably attentive. We got our menus and I chose the conejo burrito...I was SO happy they had this! I'm a big fan of rabbit and don't get to eat it very often so this was great. Good price too. They asked if I wanted refried or black beans (I got refried), and also red or green rice (I got red). When the food came out, it looked like your basic burrito, but once I took a few bites....SOOO GOOD!! I was really impressed by this burrito! The rabbit meat was cooked perfectly and shredded and had great flavor. The red rice in the burrito was amazing, very soft and cooked perfectly also, and together with the cheese they put in (I think it was Chihuahua, maybe Cotija?) it was wonderful. Perfect amount of cilantro also, very good. The whole burrito was just....YES...I wish I could go back to Seattle JUST to get another one of their conejo burritos!! I definitely loved it and ate the entire thing, even though I wasn't THAT hungry, the flavor was just irresistible! El Borracho also serves Coke products so that's a plus as well, and if you like hot sauces they had plenty of different ones to try. It was pretty busy when we were there (Sunday afternoon), however its worth braving the crowd because this place has AWESOME food...would definitely recommend it, and would for sure go back if in the area again!

Seattle posts health department ratings in the windows of restaurants. If I had noticed this one - at the lower end of the scale of ratings - I might have thought twice. But we went in and were pleasantly delighted. The picture I see posted with the restaurant name is representative of the OVERWHELMING plate of nachos, dressed to the hilt, that were delivered to our table. WOW! A $13 nacho plate (with pollo) that completely covered the plate in a towering stack. WOW! And they were great! But we couldn't possibly finish all that much. It was unique to be told there was a little refrigerator with six - count them...SIX - different hot-to-mild sauces that we could splash all over the nachos. Would we go back? You bet!

Was really looking forward to going here during our Seattle vacation. Had scoped out vegan restaurants and planned to eat dinner here. We were very surprised when, at 6 PM, the bartender came to our table and asked for our 19 year old's ID. We were then told that El Borracho becomes a bar at 5 PM and so we could not eat here at all because 19 is not 21. The bartender did recommend a restaurant several blocks away (thank you), but it was very disappointing. Not sure what motivated them to change from restaurant to bar, but they should make it more clear on their website.

We sampled the duck, pork and beef tacos this past Saturday. There was nothing remarkable about them, and better can easily be had. The server was good, and the food was served quickly, but there simply was nothing to elevate this from the ordinary. I probably wouldn't bother going back...

Great food and reasonable prices! Plus, the have $4 margaritas! Staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful also. Would highly recommend!

While looking for a restaurant for lunch close to the market, we discover this place. It has a nice bar-like atmosphere, a bit "rough hewn" but in keeping with the locale. Our group of five had a little trouble interpreting the menu but ended up with selections of nachos, burrito, tacos, chips/guacamole/salsa.... The portions are very large, especially the nacho & burrito....I think I liked the guacamole and chips best of everything...... A nice change of pace from chain restaurants!

Excellent plant based Mexican. Staff is outstanding and the food is great. You would not know is was plant based if it was not so obvious with the big painted signs. The impossible burrito was a bit huge but the guacamole and plates are great.

Nice place for lunch . Fabulous chips with guacamole. We tried the tacos . Good but not outstanding . They seemed to be a bit short on flavour . Price and service were good . Nice location just next to the market .

No ground beef in other words. Many kinds of tacos -- duck, lamb, rabbit, fish, vegetable, vegetarian, vegan. Served open faced on soft corn tortillas. Good selection of both with and without alcohol.

A group of six of us found ourselves hungry wondering around the Pikes Market area of Seattle looking for food at 8:30 pm. We found Borracho through our yelp app. Wow! I have probably had the best chicken Mexican salad I have ever had! The addition of radishes and pepitas were an excellent touch. It’s been three days and I’m on my way home and I’m still thinking about that salad. Everyone else loved their meals as well. Oh yeah... and the margaritas! They definitely did not disappoint. The place does not look like much and it’s policy of 21 and old may make you think it’s a bar. Don’t let that stop you from trying this restaurant! Creative menu, fresh food, great service!

We looked on Happy Cow for an option for Mexican food and this was a very yummy option. I was with two other people and we all enjoyed our meal. Added in a great local beer and sat and watched people walk by. There are several upturns for all dietary requirements.

Place is bad, you need to be 21 to eat here???!!!??? Don’t waste your time if you have a family! I guess all they really care about is selling booze?

The service here is absolutely terrible. We tried to eat here and the long haired, female waitress was so rude and unkind, we left. She took a very long time to come to our table to even speak to us and take an order. When she did come to the table, she spoke with a very angry tone, rolled her eyes at me when I asked questions, and talked down to me. This restaurant needs to get new staff. Customers don't want to be berated while trying to order dinner.

2-3 stars…. Average food but pricey. I’ve tried a few things on their menu including the nachos, tacos, and several of their burritos but the flavors are somewhat bland and disappointing for the prices they charge. I probably won’t be back just because the lack of flavor and diversity of plant based protein options. But the staff has always been very friendly and it’s conveniently located next to pike place market if you’re in that area. However, if you’re in pike place market, why would you eat here? Haha. There’s so many other delicious places around this area that also offer plant based options … WITH FLAVOR! con flavor!!! My advice - You can pay less, get more, and experience flavor explosions in your mouth at Rojo’s Mexican restaurant (all vegan) just on the outside of pioneer square.

If you are looking for authentic Mexican food with good seasoning, this is not the place the food is terrible, the meats seem canned

Tacos are very good value and delicious. Good beer. Staff could have been a little friendlier. Would recommend.

Amazing street tacos at amazing prices!! Go m-f between 4-7 for happy hour for $1 street tacos! We tried 5 different flavors, all amazing! The chips, guac, and salsa were all great too!!! Will definitely go back!!

I have been to both El Borracho locations (1st Ave and Ballard) and they are equally good. The service has always been great and their food is top notch! If you go during happy hour, tacos are either $1.05 or $2.07! You can't beat that! And their house margarita is $5! We have came for girls nights, as well as to celebrate multiple birthdays. The only thing is that they don't take reservations, but if you call ahead and let them know you're coming they do their best to accommodate your group. They also don't split the check during happy hour...unless you get an awesome waiter who will!

Rolled into this location with a couple of business associates for a quick Margarita and nachos. I was warned by a friend that this location is an easy one to get sucked into and not easy to leave. He was right! 7 hours later, our group left the location, laughing and with great memories. Small location with a few sport TV's and a fun staff. One (or 5) of the best margaritas I've ever had. Great, authentic Mexican food, right down to the soft tacos, meats and the sauces. Everything is home made and well prepared. Don't look for fancy here, just simple Mexican flare with a fun atmosphere.

Located right next to the pike place market. This place offers great mex fare at low prices. The happy hour deals are great $1 tacos and $4 margaritas. The food is tasty. Went here thrice in my 6 day trip. This has become my go to place in Seattle for Mexican food.

I’ve been to Mexico 5 times, and yes even though this is more Tex-Mex, it was not great. The tacos lacked brightness in flavor, the corn tortillas were way too thick & doughy and sat uncomfortably in my stomach after, the chips & salsa were stale flavourless crushed bits of chips with the most bland tomato water (literally it was like tomato agua Fresca, this “salsa”). If you really appreciate Mexican food and have had the good, authentic stuff, don’t come here. It’s a tourist trap.

Excellent food, nice drinks. There seas a good choice of food, the quesadilla and the burrito were excellent. Nice margaritas, the frozen el cheapo was the highlight as well as the models negra. We will go back on our next trip.

Small portions and expensive. The food was okay (advertised as Mexican, but in reality just hip vegetarian), and ordering was awkward. The menu was only available with a QR Code, which required us to learn how to use that (yes, I’m old). As I learned when I tried to pay, they don’t take currency - only credit or debit cards. They also won’t give you a paper receipt but offered to email one. I find this to be intrusive (no junk mail, please), so I didn’t get one. Finally, there were no offers of assistance from staff. We were tourists, and we were treated as such.

After a long day of travel, we walked here from the hotel. This place seriously hit the spot ! The horchata was a must get. Vegan portion of the menu!

The food was terrible and tasteless. The service was miserable. The staff was rude and ignorant! I had to order online and pay and tip prior to having the food. They will not ask if you need anything after your food is left on your table. One of the customers came out and shouted as loud as he could to a couple long away and he went in. When the couple came in, she stood outside and shouted to the man sitting in the bar. They used the 'F' word many times and none of the staff reacted. I will never visit this place again!

I think we tried every taco on the menu! Delicious! Very affordable! Excellent value! Highly recommend!

Good local Mexican food! Small dining area, but fast and friendly service. Worth the walk in downtown Seattle.

Street tacos with some interesting and unique options. Tried the duck and lamb which had perfect seasoning. Fast and very friendly service. Even the "el cheapo " margarita was better than most bars make. Plenty of traditional options as well as some interesting off shoots.

I had the shrimp tacos and they were good. I think I would try the fish tacos next time. My friend had the tinga de pollo and liked them very much. I also tried the el borracho bloom (I think it was called) drink with cucumbers in it and it was very refreshing. By far the chips, guacamole and the salsa was our favorite. Fresh and tasty.

After strolling around Pike Place Market, we ventured a little further and found this little gem. Authentic flavours and great maragritas. They were a little swamped at lunchtime but the girl serving us was fantastic. We had a short time for lunch and she made sure our order was out really quickly. Recommended.

At least 7 types of Margaritas in this place and plenty of taco's and burritos to choose from. You can 'build' your own burrito, which we did. When they came there was a mix-up, which we figured out after a few bites. We mentioned this to the staff and they immediately gave us the choice of continuing eating or getting a new burrito, (within 10 min the new one came) really good service!!

I ate dinner on May21, 2023. Within 4 hours after eating the potato taco I got a 4 degree fever and stomach and intestinal cramps. Thankfully my symptoms started to resolve within 8 hours. Definitely a case of food poisining. Will not be going back there ever again.

Good vegan Mexican style food. You scan the QR and order right on your phone. The food is tasty. Unfortunately it comes in throw away containers and plastic silverware. They also offer cocktails.

We had lunch here and enjoyed the taco options there were several types of meats which was fun. Traditional street tacos with a flare. Also had the salad it was delish. Enjoyed our meal.

Cool little place between Pike and Pine. Sat outside in the sunshine with ample seating. The service was great, friendly and punctual. Chips and salsa to start comes with a free refill which was amazing, and moreover all the food was incredibly hearty and insane value for money. Happy hour pints and margaritas are $4, be hard pressed to find anything better than that. Loved eating here, maximum Mexican enjoyment with minimal wallet impact. Top work!

Friendly staff, outdoor seating, reasonable prices and great portion sizes. There are plenty of vegan options (almost half the menu is vegetarian and vegan friendly). The tortilla chips weren't my favorite - but otherwise the quality of the food was great. The vegan nachos are SUPER filling and may be better to split rather than as a one person entree. The vegan sour cream is impressive.

they seem a little too busy to care to provide good customer service. I called to place an order by phone and was told I could order online. I told them I wanted to pay in cash and placed my phone order, then was surcharged an extra $3 for them answering the phone. I inquired about the price difference when I got there and was told it was the fee for making the dude more busy.

To my delight and overjoy this place had potato burritos! I had Pappas y pablanos And it was incredible. I make potato burritos at home, but have never seen one in a restaurant, and this one had amazing flavor. They also had great salsa, and wonderful bar drinks as well. This place is small, and it gets crowded quickly, so I suggest unless you’re willing to wait... get there during off hours, like in early lunch or early dinner. Fun hipster style environment.

I was pleased by the food I had here. It was more "Mex" than "Tex-Mex" but you could find enough if you prefer the latter. I was impressed that you could get taco's with lamb, goat and duck, which I had. They were delicious and each had distinctive flavours. I would recommend this place, perhaps as part of a "tapas run", ie, share some taco's here, as well as moving on to somewhere else for more food. I liked it very much.

Loud and busy bar. Cleanliness could improve. Waitresses too busy to be able to offer great service. The entire visit I noted all the staff were run off their feet. We visited as there were vegan options on the menu. Food okay but certainly nothing to write home about. Typically American. Quantity not quality. Happy hour from 4-7pm for some drinks and tapas

Everything I’ve ever wanted in a rabbit taco. I’ve hunted and prepared bunnies myself so I know what the hell I’m talking about. Killer food, killer service.

Had the nachos and love them so much we made sure we could visit again before our trip ended! Cheap margarita was the bomb!! NUM NUM on both!! Heads up that kids are not allowed after 6pm.

Average service and food, my main (fish tacos) were a little bland. We didn't have the margaritas but they sounded good from the menu.

Crowded and hot on this summer afternoon, but the food is excellent and plentiful. Particularly recommend the Soyrizo y papas tacos (whether or not you're vegan).

I had the duck taco and lamb taco, my husband had the rabbit taco and lengua taco. The tacos were amazing...rivaled the authenticity of anything we've had in Mexico or Central America. Two tacos each and chips and salsa made the perfect lunch. Their El Cheapo margarita was perfectly classic. The Jalapeno Margarita was mildly spicy. Perdect n spot for a casual lunch and cocktail.

Delicious, but with slow service. Not sure if that's just a Seattle or what. Tons of homemade salsas and hot sauces that pack a wide variety of flavors.

Nice place with a decent Mexican food and good drinks. We visited on Sunday afternoon, it was one of the few choices we had and turned out to be a good choice. Try the nacho dish, one dish is enough for two person. You would love the avocado dressing, tasty. I had a double shot hibiscus margarita which was wonderful. The only problem was the lady who served the drinks and food, she literally threw the drinks at the table and just left 😐 There were margaritas all over the table. I didn't want to ruin the evening for myself not her so I didn't complain, maybe she had a bad day or didn't notice. Anyway, the other waiter was a guy and he was much more nice and friendly. I totally recommend the place for a snack and drink plus enjoying the sidewalk seats.

We went for a horrible dinner at Matts and were still hungry. We stopped at El Borrache for nachos and drinks and had a great time

Great little place with good food and good variety of tequila and cocktails. We were there to watch a football game in the evening and to have some good drinks. Try their coconut margarita, it is tasty and unique.

Great place to grab a bite in Pike's place! Yummy food, fantastic vegetarian options. Highly recommend.

This is a busy, friendly restaurant with seating on a couple of levels. The food was good and we found the waitstaff to be very helpful. They also have a small bar area and food is served at the bar.

Friendly people and the best Carnitas burrito I have ever tasted. This small joint at Pike Place has it all, homemade shells, variety, and a ton a vegan choices.

We decided on something other than seafood for a change and chose this because of its relative proximity to our hotel (It's a block away from the market) as well as it's reviews and reviewer's photos.  We both had margaritas and we first shared a plate of nachos, which was excellent.  Possibly could have had a few more chips on it, but other than that, no complaints.  Still hungry, we each chose a different taco and ate a few bites of each other's choice (Chipotle chicken and sausage/potato).  Both were quite good.

My wife and I had a wonderful pork burrito and a duck burrito! They were terrific. Close to the Pike Place market, but not crazy crowded like the ones a block away. Good choice. Good service. Good food.

We went during Happy Hour and it was very busy. They gave us a Happy Hour menu and a regular menu. The tacos were 1.75 on the HH menu so we decided to get those as well as chips, salsa and guacamole. We were a bit surprised by the miniature size of the tacos. You can eat them in two to three bites. So we ended up having to order more. The carnitas tacos were great. We also enjoyed the guacamole. Since we had a minor with us, they were very careful about making sure that we sat in the back area and not the bar area. We also had to exit through the back. No big deal. We enjoyed the food.

Friendly service. Unfortunately, after 5 pm this place is considered a bar so…anyone under 21 can not sit down and eat food. It’s too bad b/c I missed out on what I have read is a good margarita. We ordered to go and had the Soyrizo burrito and Chipotle potato burrito. The Jamaica was good as was the pink lemon-limeade. The food was good but not worth $12-13 per burrito. However, I like that Seattle has an all plant based Mexican place.

The nachos here are HUGE and incredible. They are located right next to Pike Place Market, but the crowds are never too bad. On a nice day, grab a seat on the patio!

We were stopping by for a quick snack because we had a very late dinner planed. We had cheapo margaritas that were very good and a huge plate of nachos. They were both excellent and totally hit the spot. They also had a great looking menu and several things that went by our table looked good. I would definitely eat here again.

Good Mexican food. Try the vegan mushroom burrito. House margaritas are great. Service was a bit snotty, but I think the bartender was having a rough night. Would definitely recommend this restaurant - lots available for all types of dietary restrictions.

This is too edgy and fun a place to find so close to Pike Place Market and the tourist hordes. But we are sure glad we visited! This is simply delicious food at mostly reasonable albeit still more elevated costs compared to Portland. I didn't particularly like our seating, on the 'lower level' facing part of the indoor market. But the service was fast and friendly. Vegans can do very, very well here. I had a ginormous burrito (soyrizo con papas) that was sublime. Truly magnificent. I almost couldn't finish it. But I did. The guacamole here is very good; limited ingredients emphasizing the quality of the avocados. As close to Mexico as I have had. The partner had a hongos burrito, washed down with horchata, and was very pleased. The corn chips were the only disappointment. They were sort of airy and lacked the crunchy consistency of the best homemade Mexican corn chip. They were okay; but after everything else, it was a let down. Nevertheless, we will absolutely be back. There are so many vegan options and variations, it would take some time to try them all. Don't miss it.

I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone. Awful weird flavored food and WAY over priced cocktails. Go somewhere else to spend your money.

Worst customer service ever. Man at the bar tried to over charge me. He said my order was 71 as I was going to pay for the takeout in cash. I was still going to leave tip. So gave him $80 and said keep the change. Later on another guy who works there brought my takeout, later I was told he’s always rude and gets away with that because he’s buddies with the owner, and when I asked him for two containers for take out salsa he refused to bring me that (they are there for clients to Take what they need) and when I asked him for my two drinks, he said I didn’t pay for it, I was like 4 individuals tacos and a bowl and that’s 80? But I never got a receipt to prove otherwise, I asked Cameron to print out the original receipt to verify if I paid for it, he gives me the receipt, the drinks were paid and the total was $60, not $71 as he lied to me originally, he got busted, I asked for my tip back to count again. And I still left him $5 for a takeout. That was so uncool! Terrible experience at this joint for a new customer.

Lovely business meal in relaxed sunken garden All the food tasted great and seemed authentic Service was quick and attentive

Change of route changed our lunch plans so we walked around until we found something that appealed to us. (Wrong! ) The atmosphere seemed nice & we were greeted by several smiling faces whom instructed us to "sit anywhere you'd like". So we did & then we waited, waited, waited. It is not a big location & we were only 1 of maybe 4 other parties dining. The staff just seemed to be in no rush. As we were about to leave our waitress showed up with some waters. (She was nice btw). Our party of 4 ordered a variety of items from the menu & sadly only 2 of those items (lengua tacos & the chips & salsa) would we ever order again. The prices are not cheap & we did not think our food was worth our bill. But whatever....live & learn. And next time plan ahead. ;)

Big, tasty, lots of choices, great albeit mistake prone service. They just tried to deliver to the wrong table and gave us the wrong change but we will be back often.

Delicious food for a great price. My husband and I really enjoyed our lunch date here. Our only complaint is the salsa they offer taste like tomato sauce. We would go again and recommend. The waiters were very busy but friendly and helpful.

Oh wow, this place had a great menu with a lot of choices! I’ve never had a lamb Mexican but it was great!

We saw the rating on TripAdvisor and decided to try it. The chips and guacamole were average. The tacos were pretty good mainly because the were on corn tortillas. The servers were really friendly and the experience was good. Ok for lunch, not worth walking to though.

In the city for a show at the neighboring Showbox, we needed dinner before the show. We chose this because of it's vicinity to the venue and the desire for Mexican food. It's a tiny little place with a tiny little bar, a couple of tvs, and a seat yourself set-up. The service was a little slow and lacking, but it was busy, so not a big deal. There is a charge for chips & salsa. The menu is quite varied. And the prices are alright - great happy hour dollar and two dollar tacos to kind of overpriced quesadillas. What we tried was good and we'd be back to try some other things. Worth a stop when in the area for a show, a trip to Pike Place Market, or just because.

It would have been nice to be able to report that I loved the food here as upon researching places to eat in the area, this restaurant seemed like it would be a tasty, moderately priced option and we were excited to try it.....but unfortunately I can't give a review about the food because I was kicked out at 7 p.m. because I was with my 17 year-old daughter. We just wanted to eat dinner -- no drinking -- but that's not possible at this place. I was disappointed and being hangry at the time didn't make it any better. They say this restaurant turns into a "bar" after a certain time of night (6 p.m.?), but it looked like a restaurant to me. What's the deal with this policy? I believe there are other restaurants which serve alcohol which also allow those under 21 in to eat dinner without drinking alcohol. Strange.

We wanted to get away from the hectic crowds of the market. We walked up to 1st and found this place for lunch. My daughter had a quesadilla and I had vegan tacos. The service was excellent, the food came out quickly and was great! Easy choices for those who are gluten free and vegan (or dairy free).

We stopped here for dinner after exploring pike place all afternoon. The service was fanastic and the food so great. Prices are very good and they have an awesome happy hour. The are very busy and turn over is quick. This is a must stop place!!!

Tried this place on our first night in Seattle when we were looking for an easy, affordable option. Arrived during happy hour and ordered beers, "El Cheapo" margaritas, a few of the happy hour tacos (quite small and only $1.10), chips/salsa ($1.23), and a plate of their nachos. Everything was delicious, and the bill was so affordable! They also have this fridge of salsas/sauces that you can help yourself to. They were so tasty and complimented the food well. The nachos (around $10) were very good. Their chips are airy and crunchy at the same time. Our waitress was nice and mostly attentive even when it became quite busy and packed. Would go again!

We had a mix of tacos and a burrito to share. They were really good - the brisket of beef burrito was great. The best taco was the beef cheek. Decent service but loud screeching woman at the bar watching a game. She put us off staying for another beer after dinner.

Amazing food and atmosphere. My wife and I both had the tacos and they were delicious! Fast service! We will definitely come back if we are in the area.

My wife and I wanted something different for lunch so we gave this place a try and glad we did because the quality and taste of the food was exceptional!!!

Stopped in at El Borracho while near Pikes Market and glad we did. Sat at the bar and started with a few special cocktails of rum and tequila. Also, the chips and salsa is great side to the drinks. Several different salsa sauces are made daily and are all tasty. We ordered the duck taco, mushroom taco and cod taco. All were great but the Duck was so good we ordered a few more. The pickled onion with chili spice was such a nice dimension. Service was great, nice patron crowd and excellent selection of drink choices. Also, the tacos were homemade and outstanding. Can not wait to return.

We visited this restaurant for lunch and one of the two of us is a vegetarian. She had great options to choose from and didn't worry about it being "fake vegetarian". Margarita's are strong and yummy! Great place for a quick lunch in the Pike's Market area.

I was visiting Seattle for the first time and went to the Pike Place Market for dinner, not realizing most of the restaurants in the area close early, which was upsetting. I walked up and down the block and finally decided on giving this place a try since I had never seen a all-vegan taco restaurant. This is one of those places where you have to scan a code to get the menu on your phone and order from your phone, which seems to be the popular thing to do in Seattle. So it's like ordering on the kiosk at McDonald's. The restroom was tiny and had a weird design. There were no paper towels in there, so I had to open the door with my bare hand after washing, which I really do not like. The tacos were okay, but the chips and salsa were really good and really spicy.

Looking for a cheap and delicious Happy Hour? This place has good tacos and house Margaritas and beers at reasonable prices. Get you fix on street tacos and relax instead of fighting traffic to get home!

This place can be best described as a vegan Mexican dive bar. If you come here more than twice, the staff will know your name. It is the safe space for workers at the Market and where they go for community. An excellent watering hole for locals - tourists are welcome, please respect the vibez

We were attracted by the sign for $ drinks. Plenty of outside seating just to watch the world go by. Side plates of nachos and salsa dip were great addition to really good value drinks.

My friends and I were in Seattle over the weekend. One is vegetarian, one is currently on an elimination diet that has her mostly eating vegan and I have food allergies that make dining out a real joy. This restaurant had something for all of us (including the two carnivores). We were there for lunch and ended up seated at the bar, which was fine - despite the restaurant being busy, we were still able to talk to each other without having to shout at each other. The chips and guacamole were great! I *think* I shared some of the guacamole! ;) I had the cheese quesadilla. This is the first time I've had a quesadilla made with Mexican cheeses and it was by far the best one I've ever had. And my leftovers were just as good the next day. My friends were all impressed with their meals as well, with one saying she was glad she tried all three vegan tacos because the one she liked the most was the one based on the description, she thought she'd like the least. As for beverages, my friends were happy with their respective horchata and margaritas. The only downfall was the bathroom. It's tucked away in a corner, which is a good thing, as it has a good-sized step, which I somehow missed causing a spectacular fall into the bathroom, which thankfully, no one saw. (Other than bruised ego and a goose egg on my knee, I'm fine). There is a sign cautioning you to watch your step leaving the bathroom; I didn't see one for entering and perhaps there should be to protect them against the clutzy people like me! Overall though, I would definitely eat here again!

Hubby was happy with his tacos and would give 4 stars. I did not like my fish tacos and would give 2 stars. So, we compromised on 3. It was a Monday night, so they were not too busy. The fish tacos were just not flavorful. The chips and salsa and guac were also just ok. Maybe they were having an off night, but I will not be trying them again...there are too many excellent places to eat in Ballard to waste my money on unsatisfying tacos.

The waitress we had was super nice and helpful. I wasn't terribly in the mood for Mexican but all the food was super yummy and they have a great location. The options didn't seem terribly creative but that's not always needed.

At the waiters advice I had a fish taco (cod) and carnitas taco with guacamole and both were fantastic and plenty sufficient for a light dinner. Lemon-lime fresh pressed drink was great. Prompt, friendly service.