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Talk About Tulsa => Other Local Reviews => Topic started by: naenae42day on March 05, 2009, 08:16:22 pm



Title: El Guapo?
Post by: naenae42day on March 05, 2009, 08:16:22 pm
So what are the opinions about El Guapo?  Was supposed to lunch there the other day...but someone told me of an unfavorable rating.  Anyone else have any issues?


Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: swake on March 05, 2009, 08:33:57 pm
I've been several times. The food is really good but not outstanding, the drinks are better than the food. Service is fine, it can be hard to get a table or the attention of the hostess (or host?) but the waitstaff does a good job on average. The rooftop bar is cool but is hard to get into.


Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: Neptune on March 05, 2009, 08:47:07 pm
I stopped going there months ago.  I really liked the Steak Flautas, but they changed the recipe one day from great to bleh.  The waitress tried to say they were the same as always, but they sure didn't taste like it.

Have no idea what they're like now. 


Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: sgrizzle on March 05, 2009, 09:06:04 pm
I went there two weeks ago for the first time in awhile. I get the Wet Burrito and it was good as always. I wouldn't say it's the best mexican ever but generally everyone will leave happy. The rooftop is the best place to sit if you can get in, but it is a bit busy. They promoted and pushed themselves hard when they opened and weren't ready so they lost a lot of customers because of it.


Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: HazMatCFO on March 06, 2009, 09:00:21 pm
I agree with reviewers that say it's good, but not outstanding.


Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: Conan71 on March 06, 2009, 09:14:46 pm
I agree with reviewers that say it's good, but not outstanding.

That statement's true about Mexican food in general.


Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: waterboy on March 06, 2009, 10:25:35 pm
I like Guapo just fine. Its on my list of "good" Mexican style restaurants. My wife and I have eaten there three times this past month. Its not authentic (what is?) but its interesting and the setting is fun. The margaritas at Laredo are the best in town though.

Also, I want to apologize for denying that it is the former location of a notorious bordello by the name of May Rooms (a local stock car driver was killed there back in the seventies). It actually occupies the second floor of May Rooms and still has remnants of the old wallpapered plaster walls and wooden floors. The first floor of May Rooms is an art studio now.



Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: Hoss on March 06, 2009, 10:31:14 pm
That statement's true about Mexican food in general.

I think it depends on where you go, Conan.  I lived in Houston for 4 years; thusly I acquired a taste for mainly Tex Mex, but some real Mexican food exists there as well as here.  I also love Cajun food, and there really isn't any decent true Cajun place in town that I know of at least.


Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: sgrizzle on March 07, 2009, 12:48:29 pm
That statement's true about Mexican food in general.

Not true. I've had some BAD mexican food. Like going to Los Cabos, having it take 4 attempts to get my order right (which was just an item on the menu, nothing special) and when it was right, it was uncooked. The manager was the one serving us and he charged me full price.


Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: Gaspar on March 09, 2009, 05:45:52 am
Not true. I've had some BAD mexican food. Like going to Los Cabos, having it take 4 attempts to get my order right (which was just an item on the menu, nothing special) and when it was right, it was uncooked. The manager was the one serving us and he charged me full price.

But didn't the clown make you a nice little balloon animal?




Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: Hoss on March 09, 2009, 08:05:38 am
But didn't the clown make you a nice little balloon animal?




Make me a bicycle, clown!

[youtube]G8eL4GHCDhE[/youtube]


Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: Gold on March 09, 2009, 11:02:40 am
That statement's true about Mexican food in general.

I think it's some of the best stuff on the planet, but most of what you find in Tulsa isn't that great.  The stuff down on the Texas border or the "New Mexican" food in New Mexico is absolutely some of the best food I've had in the world, and I've been all over.  I would probably get a little tired of it if I lived in those places . . .

I like Rio Verde (pozole on the weekends is the real deal and the wet burrito is always good), Cancun (maybe the best salsa in town, the shrimp in butter thing is one of the top five dishes in Tulsa), and Speedy's (I think it has slipped some).  Tacos Don Fransisco is fun if you're really drunk.  Los Unicos shames every coney place in town.

As for Guapo, I like it just fine.  The rooftop bar is a lot of fun and also a very good lunch option when the weather is nice.  I don't think the food is bad at all; I think they tried to borrow some dishes from other places in town and that wasn't a bad idea.  I wish they'd focus a little more on the food and making it original, but then again, you can say the same thing about McNellie's.  It's not a bad addition at all downtown; in fact, it's probably one of the better concepts in the area. 


Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: sgrizzle on March 09, 2009, 11:58:38 am
But didn't the clown make you a nice little balloon animal?




No clown when I went. I feel cheated.


Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: Gaspar on March 09, 2009, 12:03:43 pm
Lil Brat, and/or her hubby are always there when we go. (http://www.clownsforhire.com/images/thumb_posingwithclown-6.jpg)They make my little girl a nice balloon princess that always pops half way through the dinner and we have to deal with the tears and listen to "Wwwwaaat happenned to Slleeeping Beauty'ss headdd?"



Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: rwarn17588 on March 09, 2009, 01:34:23 pm
I think it's some of the best stuff on the planet, but most of what you find in Tulsa isn't that great.  The stuff down on the Texas border or the "New Mexican" food in New Mexico is absolutely some of the best food I've had in the world, and I've been all over.  I would probably get a little tired of it if I lived in those places . . .


It depends what you're looking for, honestly.

My wife and I had a wonderful dining experience at a taqueria around the 61st and Peoria area. We like tacos that are bare-bones -- meat, chopped onion, cilantro and whatever salsa is being used placed on top of a corn tortilla. This little joint had tripe tacos that were just terrific.

I like Tex-Mex fine, too. Mexican dining can be pretty diverse nowadays, and often bears little resemblance to the real article. Not that it's always a bad thing. Mixing and matching of varying foodstuffs or cuisines can create really exciting food. Like the seafood burrito at Cheever's Cafe in OKC.


Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: Renaissance on March 09, 2009, 07:44:15 pm
I haven't eaten there but their margaritas were decent.


Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: swake on March 09, 2009, 10:01:27 pm
No clown when I went. I feel cheated.

JERRY: Oh there's that clown again, what does he want from me. Look I'm
serious, I'm not kidding, I don't have the quarter, that guy took it.
JOE DIVOLA: I don't want any money.
ELAINE: I smell cherry.
JOE DIVOLA: It's Binaca.
JERRY: Binaca?


Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: naenae42day on March 10, 2009, 11:17:23 am
A tripe taco?  I shudder to ask?


Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: Conan71 on March 10, 2009, 01:41:00 pm
A tripe taco?  I shudder to ask?

I like tripe if it's prepared right.  I've always wanted to ask: if you are "naenae42day" who are you the other six days of the week?


Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: mrburns918 on March 11, 2009, 11:45:56 am
Sorry, but I cannot recommend El Guapo's to anyone. The food is barely ok but not for the price, the margaritas probably the best in Tulsa but, the service is the worst in Tulsa. Those who know me will attest that I support locals to the fullest, especially downtown businesses. I have given El Guapo's several chances, 31 chances to be exact. Here is a brief list of my experiences:

1. Had to get my own silverware after the food arrived (6 times)
2. Watched the servers smoke at the patio bar, and not wash their hands when coming back on shift. Witnessed one person use his hands to retrieve chips on the side of the bar. (3 times)
3. Attitude from the servers. It's great you have tattoos and pink hair, I love individualism but guess what? Customers come first, not your poser bs. So try to act like you appreciate your job. It might help in tips too. (22 times)
4. Servers hanging around the patio bar cussing. (4 times) Thanks for not considering that my eight year old and other customers might not appreciate that. And, When I confront them about it, they act like there is something wrong with me.
5. I don't need any more buy one margarita get one free cards. I now have 12 of them. Anyone want them?

Other issues I won't bother listing that I have probably listed before on TulsaNow.

I don't get it. McNellie's is one of my favorite places to eat and I am there at least 5 times a week. The staff is kick donkey, LD is the greatest manager ever. I go to Tiny's get some great drinks, the servers are awesome, I visit The Colony and have never had a bad experience, one of friendliest bartender's in town. What the heck is wrong with El Guapo's?

They better get someone in there to crack the whip otherwise this establishment is going to continue to struggle. I know I am not the only one who feels this way.
I don't say this to hate on El Guapo's, it just sucks that a place that has so much potential seems to be in a unstoppable spiral. Clean house. Change the name and partner with El Rio Verde or Cancun. Have them cook the food, Hire some customer service oriented managers who can crack the whip and keep the margarita recipes the same.

I want El Guapo's to make it. I really do.

Mr. Burns



Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: BierGarten on March 11, 2009, 03:26:41 pm
I also love Cajun food, and there really isn't any decent true Cajun place in town that I know of at least.

Not sure you would think it is a "true Cajun place" but I can vouch for Chicory & Chives' Jambalaya!  Chicory & Chives is on Southwest Blvd somewhere between Downtown and the Knotty Pine and is much cleaner than it looks from the outside and is very well patronized over the lunch hour.


Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: tulsaborn on March 20, 2009, 03:47:50 pm
I don't get it. McNellie's is one of my favorite places to eat and I am there at least 5 times a week. The staff is kick donkey, LD is the greatest manager ever. I go to Tiny's get some great drinks, the servers are awesome, I visit The Colony and have never had a bad experience, one of friendliest bartender's in town. What the heck is wrong with El Guapo's?


It's kinda funny you compare the two, they are owned by the same person.


Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: godboko71 on March 20, 2009, 06:51:30 pm
I don't get it. McNellie's is one of my favorite places to eat and I am there at least 5 times a week. The staff is kick donkey, LD is the greatest manager ever. I go to Tiny's get some great drinks, the servers are awesome, I visit The Colony and have never had a bad experience, one of friendliest bartender's in town. What the heck is wrong with El Guapo's?


It's kinda funny you compare the two, they are owned by the same person.


Could that maybe be why he is saying he doesn't get how one can be so great while the other not so much?

I have only gone a couple of times, there food is not much better then the place on the other side of the tracks but the atmosphere is much better. I wish I could remember the name of the server we had the couple of times we went though they did a great job.


Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: sgrizzle on March 22, 2009, 09:29:11 pm
I don't get it. McNellie's is one of my favorite places to eat and I am there at least 5 times a week. The staff is kick donkey, LD is the greatest manager ever. I go to Tiny's get some great drinks, the servers are awesome, I visit The Colony and have never had a bad experience, one of friendliest bartender's in town. What the heck is wrong with El Guapo's?


It's kinda funny you compare the two, they are owned by the same person.


He owns all 5.


Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: godboko71 on March 23, 2009, 02:08:30 pm
Not sure you would think it is a "true Cajun place" but I can vouch for Chicory & Chives' Jambalaya!  Chicory & Chives is on Southwest Blvd somewhere between Downtown and the Knotty Pine and is much cleaner than it looks from the outside and is very well patronized over the lunch hour.

Knotty Pine is right off Charles Page Blvd not Southwest Blvd, Chicory & Chives Café is located a few blocks east of Knotty Pine.

Chicory & Chives Café

(918) 585-3500

3121 Charles Page Blvd
Tulsa, OK 74127


Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: mrburns918 on March 24, 2009, 07:46:06 am
Really? Wow? Maybe that's why I listed all of the same businesses owned by Eliot.

Mr. Burns



I don't get it. McNellie's is one of my favorite places to eat and I am there at least 5 times a week. The staff is kick donkey, LD is the greatest manager ever. I go to Tiny's get some great drinks, the servers are awesome, I visit The Colony and have never had a bad experience, one of friendliest bartender's in town. What the heck is wrong with El Guapo's?


It's kinda funny you compare the two, they are owned by the same person.



Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: godboko71 on March 24, 2009, 02:06:18 pm
Really? Wow? Maybe that's why I listed all of the same businesses owned by Eliot.

Mr. Burns

Thank you, your post made my day.


Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: Ihearttacos on June 29, 2009, 02:46:48 pm
[
Sorry, but I cannot recommend El Guapo's to anyone. The food is barely ok but not for the price, the margaritas probably the best in Tulsa but, the service is the worst in Tulsa. Those who know me will attest that I support locals to the fullest, especially downtown businesses. I have given El Guapo's several chances, 31 chances to be exact. Here is a brief list of my experiences:

1. Had to get my own silverware after the food arrived (6 times)
2. Watched the servers smoke at the patio bar, and not wash their hands when coming back on shift. Witnessed one person use his hands to retrieve chips on the side of the bar. (3 times)
3. Attitude from the servers. It's great you have tattoos and pink hair, I love individualism but guess what? Customers come first, not your poser bs. So try to act like you appreciate your job. It might help in tips too. (22 times)
4. Servers hanging around the patio bar cussing. (4 times) Thanks for not considering that my eight year old and other customers might not appreciate that. And, When I confront them about it, they act like there is something wrong with me.
5. I don't need any more buy one margarita get one free cards. I now have 12 of them. Anyone want them?

Other issues I won't bother listing that I have probably listed before on TulsaNow.

I don't get it. McNellie's is one of my favorite places to eat and I am there at least 5 times a week. The staff is kick donkey, LD is the greatest manager ever. I go to Tiny's get some great drinks, the servers are awesome, I visit The Colony and have never had a bad experience, one of friendliest bartender's in town. What the heck is wrong with El Guapo's?

They better get someone in there to crack the whip otherwise this establishment is going to continue to struggle. I know I am not the only one who feels this way.
I don't say this to hate on El Guapo's, it just sucks that a place that has so much potential seems to be in a unstoppable spiral. Clean house. Change the name and partner with El Rio Verde or Cancun. Have them cook the food, Hire some customer service oriented managers who can crack the whip and keep the margarita recipes the same.

I want El Guapo's to make it. I really do.

Mr. Burns



I'd like to hear your opinion on Dilly Deli too :)


Title: Re: El Guapo?
Post by: brunoflipper on July 05, 2009, 04:15:40 pm
dilly deli sammiches are good... but i have not been blown away by any of them...
however, their breakfast is absolutely kick donkey (french toast, sausage patties, eggs- u name it, it has all been excellent)...
it is our new fav bfast place...


seriously, though, mcnellies food is always consistently "OK"... but 5 nights a week to eat there? no way...

el guapo has gotten better but can still very spotty (good to crap- i've had it all)...