El Jarro Mexican Restaurant

The best dinning experience that i have ever had..Every time I have been to El Jarro, I have been
greeted promptly and efficiently. The Margaritas
are the freshest I have ever had. I always try something different, but my favorite dish is the shrimp enchiladas rancheras. The red snapper is equally as delicious-hard to make up my mind
when deciding what to order. I have had the cabrito and it was tender with much flavor. They must be doing something right as the place is always full.

Pros: great value all around

Cons: no, all was perfect

Posted 04/08/09

A huge disappointment! Service was mediocre at best. Waiter had a bad attitude from the moment he realized we weren't ordering drinks and full meals. We are all trying to watch our weight! One ordered a bowl of chicken soup - very, very small portion for $6.50 (I think Ruth's Chris may charge this much for a bowl of soup!) and it was tasteless, very little chicken, mostly broth and tortilla strips. Another ordered a bowl charro beans which I swear were ranch style beans from a can! The other two of us ordered chalupas which were adequate but overpriced (neither one of us like the taste of the refried beans used) However, the decor is lovely! Won't be going back here again.

Pros: Nice decor

Cons: poor food quality and portion size - high prices

Posted 03/06/09

DO NOT EAT AT THIS RESTAURANT! Drive right by, do not get out of your car.

Ordered something called Pippian Chicken (mole sauce mixed with "Indian" spices, tempura chayote, and black beans). The food was so bland I had to force myself to eat any of it. I asked for something else and our server told me he'd have to charge me for it. I asked for the manager, who then got me beef enchiladas. The "chili gravy" over it tasted burnt and the ground beef in the enchilada was ground to the point of fine mush. My wife said her food was really bland too. The "puffy" taco I ordered on the side was thin and not puffy. The pre-dinner chips that came with our salsa were thick cut and tasted like they came out of a bag and not freshly made. I had to beg for a refill to my drink.

Here's the worst part, I left feeling bloated and suffered horrible acid and heartburn all night, eventually reaching for the antacid after midnight and seriously thinking of inducing tossing it back up. This restaurant is rated on many San Antonio sites as one of the top Mexican restaurants in San Antonio. Do not believe this hype. Sure, it looks nice inside, but the rude service and the bland/horrible food make it an awful experience. I did notice wine bottles everywhere and a HUGE bar. Everyone around us had beer, wine, or margaritas, so I finally reasoned upon leaving that El Jarro is a bar first, restaurant second. If you want REAL Mexican food, go to the mom and pop down the street. If you want drinks in a nice looking place that occasionally has live entertainment, go to El Jarro.

"El Jarro" means "The Jug". After eating there, you'll need a jug into which you can toss back up the food. Nasty experience. Stay away. Bleggghhh!!!!

Pros: Colorful Decor

Cons: Horrible Food

Posted 01/09/09

The service was so bad, it was laughable. Slow food, drink and check service. Very unattentive. Don't even bother.

Pros: Parking, location

Cons: Service and value! Crammped seating.

Posted 11/14/08

Last Friday evening was like a horror movie for my husband and me. We arrived at El Jarro de Arturo at 7:10p.m. and asked to be seated up front for dinner and for their live entertainment for that evening. We were told by the hostess (not the owner) that could be seated at around 8 p.m.

We went to the bar to wait and had drinks and a plate of very average nachos (we ordered them about 8:15). We had a very nice conversation with one of the regular customers, and he recommended some dishes for us to try. At 9p.m., now starving, we asked the hostess why we hadn't been seated and the owner was standing next to her. She walked us over to the room and pointed out a table that was about 4 or 5 tables off from the stage close to the window and door to the patio. In the meantime, we had already noticed a table in the front. There were also people seated there who had come in after us. We told her (the owner) that we had requested a table up front, and she said that was the only one available.

My husband, normally very easy going, was so upset that he stated that we should leave and she coldly said "good-by." I told her that was a rude comment to express to a customer, etc. Obviously, she didn't care.

We left there and tried a new restaurant called Rita's on Lockhill Selma and West Ave. It is a "5 Star Plus" from a service point of view. We met the owner, Rita, and come to find she originally was employed with a restaurant on South Padre Island called the Palmetto Inn. That speaks for itself. Excellent service and food reputation for years.

The food that we had that evening in Rita's establishment was superb along with the service. A food establishment should always be on their toes, especially the owner. Like I said, El Jarro was a "horror movie;" Rita's was a breath of fresh air that salvaged our evening. By the way, until they get their TABC license, the margaitas are free with dinner. HURRY IN.

Pros: It must have some somewhere

Cons: Terrible service -- Dirty restrooms.

Posted 09/13/08

Did not like Asian people, though the food was great. I sat at the bar, the magarita was great and they made some extra special Hot salsa for me.

The guy at the end of the bar is against Asians and was making negative comments about the Chinese during Olympic ceremony. He is the boyfriend of the Manager of the restaurant. Very ignorant with his comments. Upon leaving the restaurant, the Manager didn't even say Thank you or Goodbye after I made eye contact with her while leaving.

I will never go there again.

Pros: Bartender

Cons: Management

Posted 08/07/08

I *NEVER* thought I would be saying anything bad about this place...I've been coming with my parents since I was a young child and loved it. Sadly, the service is despicable and awful now. They don't care and act like they are so much better than you even regardless of what you tip, like said below. They could honestly care less worse than probably any other restaurant I've been to. The last time I went hardly anyone was there anymore when it used to be packed up the wazoo and you would wait for hours, and I see why. I gave it about 3 more tries to see if it was just a bad day but the same thing. I've also noticed the quality of food has gone downhill. Its a shame to have one of the best restaurants in S.A. go to complete dirt. I am not a mean person but what is said about the front lady is true. And whenever we place an order to go she is RUDE and careless and never ever ever gets the order right. I used to recommend this restaurant to everyone and they all loved it before and we would have parties there even or when friends came out of town that would be our first choice, but my best friend had her party there not too long ago and it was sucky beyond belief along w/their attitudes. I felt really bad. I could not agree more with some of the reviews below. I can say more but i will leave it at that. This went from my first place to go(years ago) to my L A S T resort. Goodbye el jarro.

Pros: USED to be the best

Cons: Now the WORST

Posted 06/10/08

Well....maybe I shouldn't say it was the worst service since it was more like NO SERVICE...we were a party of 10 and we had to go FIND a waiter and ask them to take our drink order. Fortunately, we went on a Sunday morning while there was a buffet and the food was very good. Another 'good' thing was there were pitchers of water and tea near by so we could fill our own drinks...wait, isn't that what waiters are supposed to do???? As we left we decided to speak with the manager so he would be aware of our dismal service and much to our disappointment (and i guess after the day we were having it should have been expected) he stood there with his arms crossed and only nodded, never saying a word.......

Pros: Good food

Cons: Worst customer service I've ever experienced

Posted 06/06/08

I used to eat at El Jarro frequently when I first moved to San Antonio, the food is good- but sometimes a bit greasy- but I've found better around town.

The WORST thing about this restaurant is the horrible service. While others rant on that they've had the same servers for years-and that they must be doing something right- I beg to differ.
I feel the owners put up with slovenly, unattentive service because MOST of the employees are family members!

I am not Hispanic nor a wealthy San Antonioan and feel that this works against me. EVERY SINGLE TIME I have ever walked through the door, the OWNERS and the SAME SERVERS NEVER, ACKNOWLEDGE ME or my guests. Its like I'm not there. I have to always stand in someone's face to get seated. Oh they want your money, but they're not nice about it. The old mamacita who rassles with the payment and tickets has less personality than a stop sign. As much as she has seen me, she NEVER greets me coming OR going. No one ever says goodbye, thank you, nothing.

And it's not that I've been a 'problem' guest- I have always tipped 20-25% grat whether it was deserved or not and almost always it is not- but thought that by doing this I might win some favor with them. Not.
They are just rude and surly, they've made their millions- they don't care, they don't need 'new customer' business I guess. I've noticed that mamacita who works the register has 4 pounds of ice on her fingers and drives a new Cadillac.... must be nice. If I gave service like they give service I'd be broke.

Well the other day was enough. I took some guests in, 4 of us total. It was Wednesday & wasn't busy. We were the only ones at the front. NO ONE even looked our way for at least 3 minutes- I finally said loudly, well guess they don't need our business. And one of the owners plus mamacita plus 2 waiters were standing at the cash stand 8 feet away. I walked out and will never return. 3 minutes may not seem like a long time, but it was.

Pros: The cons outweigh any pros

Cons: Poor guest service

Posted 05/02/08

I am a business traveler so I am often eating in restaurants around the Southeast. I was looking for good Tex-Mex food while visiting San Antonio. I found El Jarro on Citysearch in their "Best of" category. I thought that the experience would be pleasureable when I walked in and was immediately greeted by the hostess, cashier and one of the managers. Unfortunately, it went downhill from there. I was seated at a table that was shoved into a corner that I can't imagine would ever hold 4 people. It was crammed and uncomfortable. I am assuming I was seated here because I was alone in my dining. My server immediately came over to ask what I would like to drink and returned promptly. After this I was ignored for about 10 minutes even though I gave all the signs that I was ready to order - closed menu, appearing to look for my server, eye contact with my server. Nothing worked. I finally ordered and my food was delivered in a reasonable amount of time. The food was good, but I have had better. I will say that their Chicken Tortilla Soup was pretty good. I finished my drink part of the way through my meal, but none ever came to refill it or check on how I was doing. Once I was finished I waited at least 20 minutes before my server removed the plates from the table. After that I had to flag him down for the check. He was very quick to take my credit card and return the slip to me though! As I left no one thanked me or asked me to come again. I warn diners going alone to prepare to be overlooked and under served. The food didn't really even off set the lack of service. I don't think I will be dining here on any return trip to San Antonio.

Pros: Ambience

Cons: Poor Service

Posted 04/16/08

This is the best mexican food I have had since we moved to San Antonio. The line can be long at prime times but definitely worth the wait. The nightly specials are wonderful and the enchilada suizas are to die for. We have visited this restaurant over ten times and the service has been quick and friendly. There is live music on the weekend.

Pros: Great food

Cons: Long waits for tables at prime time

Posted 02/14/08

The food was good (though we'd still pick El Mirasol's fare), but the service was horrendous. We took our toddler on a Sunday at 11 AM - right when they opened. We were left sitting in the waiting area while someone messed with the cash register, and when we asked about being seated, the man told us someone else would help us in a minute. Once seated, it was almost 10 minutes before someone filled our water glasses and asked if we'd like anything to drink. After another 5 minutes, we were asked if we'd be getting the buffet or ordering from the menu. We answered that we'd like to order from the menu, but no one ever came back to take our order (or our menus, which sat on the table throughout our entire meal). Eventually, we gave up and ate from the buffet. The food was good enough, but I wouldn't call it worthy of $12 per person. If El Jarro is going to ignore its patrons due to offering a buffet on Sundays, they should just make it a brunch only establishment from 11 - 1. It will be a long time before we choose to eat there again.

Pros: Nice ambience, good patio

Cons: TERRIBLE SERVICE

Posted 06/30/07

This is absolutely the best food I have ever tasted. The Margeritas were awsome too! I live in New York City and go to Vegas often so I know good food when I see it. The real mexican food at El Jarro in little old San Antonio TOPS anything I have had in those two places. Whats even better is that it is so unexpected too! You would expect a place like this to be in the tourist trap of the riverwalk but it's not. This is definetly worth a visit or two. That Arturo needs to get on the Food Network to show the rest of the planet how to cook Mexican food!

Truly,

A New El Jarro Fan

Pros: Food, Service, Friendlyness

Cons: Small Bathrooms

Posted 09/07/06

They have "Chef's Specials" that are not the usual Mexican entrees Wonderful. Shrimp Pablano and Chicken Panini are my favorits - while the wife does the usual.

Pros: Food, Food, Food

Cons: Weak drinks

Posted 04/09/06

Been eating at El Jarro for over ten years, and have not been let down yet!

Posted 11/13/05

I have been going to El Jarro since 1975 and have been to other local Mexican restaurants that have come and gone since then, but El Jarro remains the top one. Sandy and Arthur do their best to make it the best!! Their staff have for the most part, been with them for many, many years - something uncommon the restaurant business. You can always count on an excellant meal there.

Posted 01/25/04

i can't get enough of el jarro! the atmosphere, the margaritas (top shelf!) the fish dishes are incredible (as well as the "fried spinach" that goes with it) and the green corn enchiladas are fabulous!!! definitely the best mexican in town!!!! (yes, it beats chuy's!)

Posted 02/03/03