Review El Dorado Mexican Restaurant - Charleston

Nice atmosphere and probably the fastest service I've seen in a long time, from sitting down to food on table was all of about 12 minutes. I will say everything had an unexpected spice to it which isn't a complaint, just any observation but overall I really liked the place.

They have great margaritas especially for the price compared to other Mexican restaurants in the area. The food is very good and the salsa is great. Whoever said the salsa tasted like tomatoes out of a can needs to lay off the nicotine so their taste buds will come back to life. They have a great salsa. I like hot stuff and it has a bite but not too much for it to be warded off by the ones who enjoy bland. One of the tastiest salsa s I've had at a Mexican restaurant. I recommend it to all.

Honestly one of my favorite franchises that I've been to! Everything is great. The internal layout is pretty impressive, with mostly sectioned booths plus a few family/party size booths. The chips are really light and easy to eat en masse. They refill the "hot sauce" salsa from a pitcher, which is amusing. The salsa is well blended and well spiced, and doesn't separate out to water. The queso maintains its dipping qualities for longer than at other locations. High quality menus to boot. The only thing I can really complain about is the upholstery and carpets are a bit worn and dated. Plus, to top it off they do buffets! A very wide selection of Mexican dishes, including queso, all you can eat for $10 a head. We're making this location our new Sunday lunch spot.

Our favorite MEXICAN place anywhere. The manager always greets us with a smile, the service is great. The food authentic not Americanized. The waiters & waitresses are helpful. We most always go on Sunday after church the buffet is awesome.REAL mexican food.

By far the best Mexican joint for food. The buffet is better than the food my grandmother used to make and that's saying something. Forgive me grandmom. People shouldn't judge this place if they come here and order watered down Mexican food for non mexicans. This place should be judged by Latinos only. We know our food and this place is amazing.

Service was great, food was amazing, prices are reasonable. Yeah, it's not shiney and new, but who cares? We will totally eat here again! Also, despite what the other reviewer a way down says, the salsa was great.

Good man, just plain good. Some of the server's speak little English, so you know the good has got to be good. I have eaten here many times and have not been disappointed once. Any meal and a big beer is a good choice.

Awesome food and good margaritas!!! They are moving to a new location soon. It deserves a better building. Wishing them well in their new location. If you want good Mexican food don't miss this place!!!!

Tasty Mexican with excellent shredded chicken. Lunch/weekend buffet is a good value - just come early, as there's definitely a difference in quality from the start of the buffet to the end.

My new favorite place! The service was great and food was amazing! I tell everyone. A must try! The only thing I would change is the location, it needs more parking and be closer to Goose Creek!

I go here quite often, the staff is always very nice and fast the food is amazing there if you go at lunch defiantly get the buffet, lunch or dinner I would say hands down their grilled chicken nachos or their cheese steak burritos. I love Mexican and I have been to 4 other restuartans in the charleston area and by far hands down this one is the best.

Enjoyed the food and beverages. Service was great, and the beverages and food were served quickly. Staff were very friendly and attentive to my requests for additional items (extra napkins, extra salsa, etc.) 🌞 My experience was most enjoyable.

Have you ever heard of a Mexican buffet? Well its a real thing here, and its insane. The food at El Dorado is authentic and delicious. One of my favorite Mexican spots that I have ever been to.

It was great food. The closest to food in ElPaso (Tx) since I got to SC. My waitress kinda never came back to check on us but the other servers were kind enough to pick up the slack.

The nasty food I've ever had!!! The buffet was cold and even the authentic food was not properly done. The best part of the meal was soup! Even the tacos I ordered were nasty!

This is I think the BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN CHARLESTON!!! I like everything I have eaten at this place! Good food and great prices! They have a lunch buffet that is amazing! If you like Mexican food you have to eat at El Dorado!!!

El Dorado. Always good. Great food and drinks. Buffet is very popular. Fairly priced.

Good food. Good service. Consistent & affordable. Standard Americanized Mexican fare, nothing fancy, always served quickly and with a smile. 16 years and not a bad meal yet. <br/>Shredded chicken used in tacos and other items is great. Excellent margaritas. Owner operated outfit makes this lace stand out among the competition.

Classic I have been eating here since I was a kid. Always good! never have a bad meal :)

El Dorado is My Motto --. El Dorado Mexican Restaurant: A classic amongst us West Ashley locals, this most beauteous of the California (How dare I say so?!) home-style Mexican eateries has something for everyone... I highly recommend their all you can eat cafeteria-style buffet. It is simmering on the steam table from about 11:30 - 3:00 PM Monday through Saturday. But the food never stops here between 3 and 5 PM like it does in so many restaurants now. This is yet another reason why I love this place.<br/><br/>There are a few new items on their menu which I adore. The Pollo Milanesa is a fiesta en su boca (in your pie-hole, that is -). My husband loves the guilty pleasure of sharing the Camarones del Diablo with me at times. The Chorizo y Papas are a great appetizer that will lend a hint as to what great quality of food you will enjoy. Another new winner is the Camarones en Chipoltle. What can I say but that I’m a Charleston gal and I love my shwrimpees!<br/><br/>Another new dish they have is a Pollo Poblano that is really one of the best meals on the menu! It comes out to you sizzling fajita-style with onions, peppers and homemade cheese just spilling over the sides of the skillet. Or maybe that’s because they like us there -- <br/><br/>The tacos and tamales are world class at the top of their class. James and I will sometimes indulge in splitting a tamal as an appetizer. Try it with the habanero salsa, tomatillo sauce and the fresh guacamole. And, yes... I’ve dined many years in the South Bay and San Diego areas of California... (as well as many weekender trips to Baja, Mexico). This venue totally compares to some of the finest Mom and Pop restaurants in the Southwest. Check out the Margaritas when it’s gittin’ off time from work. <br/><br/>Something I’ve never had the nerve to try, but looks so outlandishly amazing is the Fried Ice Cream Sundae. I promise to report on that one later, dude. A friendly visitor offered me a bite of hers a few months back, and I guess my typical Southern politeness got in my own way. ‘Missed out on that... it surely looked good.<br/><br/>Well, until next time I’ll be trying to find excuses to try even more new tasty treats out there in our little berg of goodness. I can think of at least three more restaurants I should have at least mentioned.... but later, Gator -- this one must go beddy-bye now.<br/><br/>...yep, I’m always on a diet -- Mel!

False Advertising. El Dorado is delicious! But. . . they recently started selling 24 ounce beers as 32 ounce beers. If they want to sell smaller beers, that is fine, but don't price it and sell it as 32 ounce beer. . . .

Made me miss California. Very good authentic Mexican food! Fresh cilantro, tomatoes and onions so yummy on the everything! Try the verde pork it is great. Moved here from California and have finally found a Mexican hole in the wall I will defiantly be returning to enjoy the food.

Great service...mediocre food. Spicy salsa was promising, but the entrees were crazy salty. Rio Grande has no worries about this place as competition.

EXCELLENT!! If you look at my profile you'll see I eat out about every other day. Mexican is high on my list. This is the 2nd time I've been here in 2 weeks. Enough said. FAJITAS BABY!!!

Love the lunch buffet!. My coworkers and I love to come to El Dorado for the great lunch buffet. Good variety and decently priced, we always leave full and happy. Never a bad experience here.

GREAT FOOD!. Every time we have been there, the food was great! This is one of the best Mexican placews to go and have real authentic food!

Enjoy the buffet! Lots of choices. Nothing really special about the restaurant but we still enjoy it!

Buffet. My husband and coworkers love this place (although I could take it or leave it). The buffet has everything from french fries to a fajita station and is a good value (under $20 for two). The menu seemed to be expansive as well. Service was quick, even though they were busy. Seemed to be a popular lunch spot.

Good location good food good price good service good ambiance. Nacho cheese dip a must. Guatalahara's Especial is the best. Authentic.