El Tango Taqueria

Can I give it 0 stars? Read all the other reviews on unsanitary conditions and re-using of food!

We had not been to this place for 2 years because it is very overpriced. We decided to give it 1 more chance. We ordered our entre's and when my wife asked me what I wanted to drink, I said I'll just have a glass of water. The owner said he no longer gives out free water because he doesn't want to wash that many glasses (he actually said it). I then told my wife I won't get a soda - I would just wait until we left to drink the one I had in the car. the owner than butted in and told me you can't bring drinks in. I said that I would drink it when we left. He then told us that if I woudn't get a water just because I have to pay for it now then we could get out of his restaurant- he didn't want our business. He doesn't have to worry about that!!!!
This guy (the disgusting cowboy hat totin' owner) is certifiable. With the enormous volume of bad reviews, he reminds me of Richard Pryor in Brewsters Millions (where Pryor has to deliberately lose all his worldly possessions). This owner appears to be diliberately trying to ruin his business - how can a person not know any better?
The place was empty at dinner time - I wonder why? The owner is the definition of a person that should not own business.

Posted 10/13/09 | Report Abuse

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If I could give this place NO STARS I would!!!!

El Tango Taqueria may have the best Mexican style food in Lakewood but... BEWARE!!!! The food is prepared under highly unsanitary kitchen conditions. The owner is so cheap he doesn't even provide detergent to properly clean the dishes and also reuses food! Instead of throwing away salsa already used by one customer; the owner scoops what's left into a new dish and serves the reused salsa to new customers!

If that's not disgusting enough, don't expect professional customer service here either. Check out some of the other horror stories and bad reviews detailing the unsatisfactory experiences of other customers. Don't waste your time or money on this shady restaurant... you might regret it once you get sick because your meal was prepared by the most unhealthy standards in the city.

* Pros: Good Food
* Cons: Unsanitary Kitchen, Horrible Service & Cheap Owner

Posted 09/12/09 | Report Abuse

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We went to this restaurant and let me tell you, I would rather eat dog food off of a homeless man's belly than eat here again. After the owner wiped his nose with his bare hand and went back to cooking someone's food (as it wasn't mine, I was only there 15 minutes at that point) I thought, maybe he'll get better by the time he gets to my order. Well, between him being gross and disgusting, he was staring at my wife. Not just looking at her, but undressing her in a way that made her feel violated. I politely told him that I was leaving and wouldn't need my order to be made, but he told me it was nearly done. After overhearing the chef say to the owner "I stirred this with my (umm...male appendage?)" we got out of there.

Posted 10/26/08 | Report Abuse

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El Crapo Craperia is the worst alleged mexican food I have ever come across. I ordered take-out and saved myself the trouble of listening to the owner yell at his employees. When I got home the food was cold and someone or something had taken a bite out of my burrito! I was so disgusted that I gave it the burrito to my dog. But even my dog refused to eat it, and he eats his own poop!

Posted 10/26/08 | Report Abuse

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My experience at this place was horrible. My friend took me there, swearing it would become my new favorite restaurant. I actually do really love Mexican food, but I have to say this was the worst, ever! We sat at the counter by the window, and there were so many flies that I lost my appetite. I mean, there were hundreds of them just swarming around the brightly lit Neon signs. It was a warm night, so they had the doors propped open, for all the bugs to enter. Gross. I will never, ever return! Save your money. I would never recommend this place.

Posted 05/01/08 | Report Abuse

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Don't eat at El Tango unless you want a nice case of Hepatitus. I saw the owner himself remore half eaten salsa cups from a table and then pour the remains into new cups, which he then tried to serve to me! I looked over the counter and would you believe it- There were ten or fifteen half used salsas sitting there waiting to be re-used! I have already called the health dept. but who knows if they will catch him doing it or not. I don't know if they have "health spies" which is what they would need- but if you don't believe me, just peer over the counter (it's an open kitchen) and see for yourself!
God knows what else he re-uses. This place is revolting. Never, never eat here.

Posted 01/18/07 | Report Abuse

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My daughter took my grandson and I to eat supper at this place.

I am very serious when I say it was not edible. My grandson ordered a breakfast burrito and it tasted nasty.

She paid about $30.00 for the meal. The dining room was not clean...tables not prepped, dirty. We asked if we could have some hot sauce and they told us that they charge for that...$ .75. I think they are trying to be just a little upscale mexican but the effect was "yuppie" and no taste.

The place was empty and I assume it will stay that way.

Nasty, nasty, nasty! I will warn everyone I know.

Posted 07/27/06 | Report Abuse

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Today at work we went to a quaint little Mexican joint and had lunch. It was DA BOMB. You pay for everything in the place... But it's worth it. Tortilla Chips made from... frying tortillas... Fish tacos.... Burritos the size of a child's head... Everything was quite yummy...

And then I saw the desert special... Apple Jalapeno pie with ice cream.

Ok... how to begin... it looks like apple pie, with small green bits. Then ice cream on top and something drizzled over it. Yeah... the drizzle is the shizzle... Honey... infused with cinnamon and jalapeno. Oh... My... God. It was wonderful.

I know my wife can make this even better... And we've got a lot of apples. Just gotta find the peppers. :)

It was a happy lunch.

PROS: Tasty, quaint, authentic
CONS: Pricey drinks, slow service.

Posted 11/02/05 | Report Abuse

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