Family-owned Mexican restaurants tend to build their menus around recipes passed down through generations. When you are looking for authentic flavors without the guesswork, checking the El Charro Menu with Prices before you go is the smartest move you can make. This guide breaks down the current offerings, portion sizes, and what each dish will actually cost you in 2025.
You don’t want to sit down, look at the menu, and then do mental math while your stomach growls. Instead, you can walk in knowing exactly what you want to order and what your total bill will look like. Here is the full breakdown of the El Charro menu with prices, organized by category so you can plan your meal.
Appetizers And Starter Plates
Starting your meal with a shared plate is a good way to test the kitchen’s skill. The portions here are generous, so you might want to skip the appetizer if you plan on ordering a combo plate. But if you are hungry, these starters are the way to go.
- Classic Guacamole – Made tableside with fresh avocado, lime, and cilantro. Served with warm tortilla chips. $9.99
- Queso Fundido – Melted Chihuahua cheese with your choice of chorizo or mushrooms. Comes with flour tortillas. $11.49
- Nachos Supreme – A large platter loaded with beans, seasoned ground beef, jalapeños, and a mountain of melted cheddar. $12.99
- Chicken Taquitos – Three rolled corn tortillas, fried until crispy, topped with sour cream and cotija cheese. $10.49
- El Charro Sampler – This is the best option for a table of four. It includes mini quesadillas, flautas, stuffed jalapeños, and a side of guacamole. $16.99
You should note that the chips and salsa on the table are complimentary, but they do not refill the salsa automatically. You have to ask for more if you want it. That is not a hidden charge, but it is good to know.
Soup And Salad Selections
If you want something lighter but still filling, the soup and salad section of the El Charro menu with prices offers a few solid choices. These are not afterthoughts; they are full meals.
- Tortilla Soup – A rich tomato broth with crispy tortilla strips, avocado slices, and shredded chicken. $8.99
- Taco Salad – A crispy flour tortilla bowl filled with your choice of chicken or beef, lettuce, pico de gallo, and cheese. $10.99
- Grilled Chicken Caesar – This one is a bit different from the rest of the menu, but it is fresh and the chicken is well seasoned. $11.99
Be aware that the taco salad is huge. You could easily split it with someone else, but there is a small sharing charge if you do that. Most people just take half of it home for later.
Street Tacos And Specialty Plates
This is where the menu really shines. The street tacos are served on double corn tortillas with onion and cilantro. You get three tacos per order, and you can mix and match the meats if you ask nicely.
- Carne Asada Tacos – Grilled steak, chopped fine, with a smoky flavor. $13.99
- Al Pastor Tacos – Marinated pork with a hint of pineapple and achiote. $12.99
- Chicken Tinga Tacos – Shredded chicken simmered in a tomato-chipotle sauce. $12.49
- Fish Tacos – Beer-battered cod with a creamy white sauce and cabbage slaw. $14.99
Each taco plate comes with rice and beans. If you want to upgrade your rice to Mexican rice with vegetables, it is a small upcharge of about a dollar. The fish tacos are only available on Fridays and Saturdays, so plan accordingly.
Burritos And Chimichangas
The burritos here are not the wet, smothered kind unless you specifically ask for them that way. They come dry, wrapped in foil, and packed tight with ingredients. You have to choose your style when you order.
- Bean And Cheese Burrito – Simple, cheap, and filling. $8.49
- Carne Asada Burrito – Grilled steak, french fries (yes, fries inside), and guacamole. $14.49
- Chimichanga – A deep-fried burrito with your choice of shredded beef or chicken, topped with red sauce and cheese. $13.99
- California Burrito – This one has shrimp, pico de gallo, and a creamy jalapeño sauce. $15.99
You should ask for the red sauce on the side if you do not like spicy food. The default sauce on the chimichanga has a decent kick to it. The menu does not warn you about that, so now you know.
Traditional Combination Dinners
Combination plates are the backbone of the El Charro menu with prices. These are the best value for your money because you get a protein, a filling, and sides all in one go. You can pick any two or three items from the list below.
Each combo comes with rice, refried beans, and a small side salad. The most popular choices are the enchilada, the tamale, and the chile relleno.
- Two-Item Combo – Choose from enchilada, taco, tamale, or burrito. $13.49
- Three-Item Combo – Add a chile relleno or a flauta to your selection. $16.99
- Chile Relleno Plate – A roasted poblano pepper stuffed with cheese, battered, and fried. Served with rice and beans. $14.99
- Enchilada Suizas – Three corn tortillas filled with chicken and covered in a green tomatillo sauce and melted cheese. $15.49
If you want to swap your beans for extra rice, that is free. If you want to swap your rice for a second helping of beans, that is also free. But if you want to swap your beans for vegetables, there is a charge of about two dollars.
Fajitas And Sizzling Skillets
Fajitas are a performance. The skillet comes out hot, and the smell hits you before the plate even reaches the table. You get your choice of meat, a pile of sautéed peppers and onions, and warm tortillas on the side.
- Chicken Fajitas – $17.99
- Steak Fajitas – $19.99
- Shrimp Fajitas – $21.99
- Fajita Trio – Chicken, steak, and shrimp all on one sizzling platter. $24.99
The sides that come with fajitas include rice, beans, pico de gallo, and a small pile of shredded cheese. You get three flour tortillas per order. Extra tortillas cost a dollar for a stack of three.
One thing you should watch out for is the sizzle. The plate is extremely hot, and the oil can pop. Do not lean over the skillet right when it is set down in front of you.
Seafood And House Specialties
This section of the El Charro menu with prices is for people who want something beyond the standard ground beef and cheese. The seafood dishes are prepared fresh, and they take a little longer to come out of the kitchen.
- Camarones a la Diabla – Shrimp sautéed in a spicy red sauce. This one is hot, so be careful. $18.99
- Grilled Tilapia – Served with a garlic butter sauce, rice, and a side of steamed vegetables. $16.49
- Pollo en Mole – Chicken breast covered in a rich, dark mole sauce made with chocolate and chiles. $15.99
- Carnitas Plate – Slow-braised pork that falls apart, served with tortillas and pickled onions. $14.99
The mole sauce here is not too sweet. It has a deep, earthy flavor that goes well with the chicken. If you have never had authentic mole, this is a good place to try it for the first time.
Kids Menu And Sides
If you are bringing the family, the kids menu is affordable and the portions are reasonable for smaller appetites. Each kids meal comes with a small drink and a scoop of ice cream for dessert.
- Kid’s Taco – One crispy taco with rice. $6.49
- Kid’s Quesadilla – Cheese quesadilla with a side of rice. $6.99
- Kid’s Chicken Nuggets – Yes, they have these for picky eaters. $5.99
For sides, you can order a la carte items. A side of rice is $2.49. A side of beans is $2.49. A side of guacamole is $3.99. A side of sour cream is $1.49.
Desserts And Drinks
You should save room for dessert, but if you do not, you can always take it to go. The desserts are made in-house, and they are not the frozen kind you see at other places.
- Flan – Classic caramel custard. $5.49
- Churros – Three fried dough sticks rolled in cinnamon sugar, served with a chocolate dipping sauce. $6.99
- Fried Ice Cream – A scoop of vanilla ice cream coated in cornflakes and fried. $6.49
For drinks, the house margaritas are popular. They have a regular lime margarita for $8.99 and a top-shelf version for $12.99. They also serve horchata and Jamaica water for $3.99 per glass.
El Charro Menu With Prices
Now that you have seen the categories, it helps to look at the overall pricing structure. The El Charro menu with prices shows that this is a mid-range restaurant. You are not paying fine dining prices, but you are also not getting fast food pricing.
Here is a quick summary of what you should expect to pay per person:
- Lunch Specials – Available Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 3 PM. These range from $8.99 to $11.99.
- Dinner Entrees – These range from $12.99 to $24.99.
- Appetizers – These range from $8.99 to $16.99.
- Desserts – These range from $5.49 to $6.99.
If you order a drink, an appetizer, and an entree, you are looking at roughly $35 to $40 per person before tip. If you just order water and an entree, you can get out of there for under $20.
Tips For Ordering On A Budget
You do not have to spend a lot to eat well here. There are a few tricks that regular customers use to keep the bill down.
- Go during lunch hours. The lunch specials are significantly cheaper than the dinner portions, even though the food is the same.
- Skip the appetizer. The complimentary chips and salsa are enough to hold you over while you wait for your main dish.
- Drink water. The margaritas are good, but they add up fast. Two margaritas can double your bill.
- Share a fajita plate. The fajitas for one are easily enough for two people if you ask for extra tortillas.
- Check for daily specials. On Tuesdays, they often have a taco special that is not printed on the regular menu. You have to ask your server.
These tips will help you enjoy the food without feeling like you overspent. The goal is to leave full and happy, not stressed about the check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does El Charro offer vegetarian options?
Yes, they have a vegetarian fajita plate with just peppers and onions, and they also have cheese enchiladas and bean burritos. You just have to tell them to hold the meat and use vegetable oil instead of lard for the beans.
Are the prices on the menu the same for dine-in and takeout?
Generally, yes. The prices are the same, but takeout orders do not automatically include chips and salsa. You have to ask for them, and they might charge a small fee for the container.
Is there a happy hour at El Charro?
Yes, there is a happy hour from 3 PM to 6 PM on weekdays. During this time, you can get discounted drinks and a smaller appetizer menu at reduced prices. The discounts are not huge, but they are worth it if you are already going to be there.
Can I make a reservation for a large group?
El Charro does not take reservations for small tables, but they do for parties of eight or more. You should call at least a day in advance to secure a spot for a large group, especially on weekends.
Do they have gluten-free options?
Many of the corn-based dishes are gluten-free, like the tacos and the enchiladas. However, you should tell your server about your allergy because the fryer is shared with items that contain gluten, which could cause cross-contamination.
Now you have a clear picture of the El Charro menu with prices. You can walk in with confidence, order exactly what you want, and know what your total will be before the waiter even brings the check. That is the best way to enjoy a meal out, without any surprises at the end.