This was our second trip to El Barrio. We enjoyed it so much we brought friends with us for lunch. The lunch crowd was pretty robust and we had to wait about 20 minutes, but it was well worth the wait. The staff is friendly and efficient, and the food was delicious again.
swazijumbo
Had a 45 minute wait on a Thursday evening. That should tell you already that the locals approve of this restaurant and it’s offerings. Amazing seasonal guacamole and the prawn Quesadilla was to die for. The corn bread was also amazing. Great evening with great drinks.
MMvB66
Fun atmosphere and delicious food! We loved the quirky decor. The queso with chorizo and peppers was very good, my husband enjoyed his enchiladas and my chicken mole was excellent.
montanabwil
We were visiting from out of town for w Broadway show. Seating was very quick since we opted for a “community table”. Chips & salsa was $3 for the table but is bottomless. We all ordered different variations of quesadillas. It was very good, the cream was the star. Cornbread was ok. I would go back. :)
cmatz88
Worth the wait. Good food, drinks, atmosphere, and service. Find this place when you’re in town and mix with the locals
NikiMilbert
I love this restaurant! It has delicious food & a really cool atmosphere. I got their dinner special, Beef Birria Tamales, don’t sleep on this if it’s available… top notch! Service was great as well!
ERMays
We ended a great day visiting Birmingham with dinner at this really cool restaurant. We love Mexican but we loved that this menu has some unique items that we hadn’t tried before. The vibe is really cool and would have been perfect for a date night. The only criticism is we were told that we couldn’t sit at our own table and we were seated at a community table with other guests, although there were clearly plenty of tables open. Not sure if this was because we were the only family with kids in the restaurant.
melindap2014
Absolutely worth the wait!!! Homemade hot sauces put the finishing touch on our amazing tacos and chips and salsa. Everything was so fresh and healthy with delicious upscale Mexican food. Will be back for sure!!
dan s
lively & bustling on a Thursday, quick service, unique twists with our food. Friendly service! would return.
Kristina A
I had the Gulf Shrimp quesadilla & it was amazing!! Food is pricey here, but no more than what the usual would be! Pomegranate margarita was delicious! We came on a Saturday, opened at 11:30 & there was a line out the door waiting already!! We had to wait one hour- ok for a couples place but waiting with 3 kids is not fun!
It was awesome. Maybe the best Mexican I’ve ever had. Had the chicken mole; it was fantastic. Had a Paloma; it was fantastic. Will return!
hollandandmax
Loved this place! Very friendly staff and the food was great. Owner (Lord Trifle) was a great host and made us feel at home.
X376SXchrisf
Had a party of six and the food and service was fantastic! LOVE their three homemade hot sauces! Ask for Emily...she was a great waitress! Well trained!!!
figment84
We have been to El Barrio many times but for some reason on this visit, the staff was incredibly RUDE from the time we walked in until the time we paid and left. I hate to say that I will choose one of the many of other fine restaurants in Birmingham that actually value their guests before returning here.
MalbecWriter
The heart and soul of downtown Birmingham’s rebirth. Nothing is typical Mexican but everything is fresh, authentic and interesting. The caring staff is what has enabled this place to go above and beyond year after year. The chicken soup, the chorizo meatloaf, and the pozole are standouts. But there’s not a thing on the menu I haven’t loved. Big yes on the tres leches cake, too.
This was our second trip to El Barrio. We enjoyed it so much we brought friends with us for lunch. The lunch crowd was pretty robust and we had to wait about 20 minutes, but it was well worth the wait. The staff is friendly and efficient, and the food was delicious again.
Had a 45 minute wait on a Thursday evening. That should tell you already that the locals approve of this restaurant and it’s offerings. Amazing seasonal guacamole and the prawn Quesadilla was to die for. The corn bread was also amazing. Great evening with great drinks.
Fun atmosphere and delicious food! We loved the quirky decor. The queso with chorizo and peppers was very good, my husband enjoyed his enchiladas and my chicken mole was excellent.
We were visiting from out of town for w Broadway show. Seating was very quick since we opted for a “community table”. Chips & salsa was $3 for the table but is bottomless. We all ordered different variations of quesadillas. It was very good, the cream was the star. Cornbread was ok. I would go back. :)
Worth the wait. Good food, drinks, atmosphere, and service. Find this place when you’re in town and mix with the locals
I love this restaurant! It has delicious food & a really cool atmosphere. I got their dinner special, Beef Birria Tamales, don’t sleep on this if it’s available… top notch! Service was great as well!
We ended a great day visiting Birmingham with dinner at this really cool restaurant. We love Mexican but we loved that this menu has some unique items that we hadn’t tried before. The vibe is really cool and would have been perfect for a date night. The only criticism is we were told that we couldn’t sit at our own table and we were seated at a community table with other guests, although there were clearly plenty of tables open. Not sure if this was because we were the only family with kids in the restaurant.
Absolutely worth the wait!!! Homemade hot sauces put the finishing touch on our amazing tacos and chips and salsa. Everything was so fresh and healthy with delicious upscale Mexican food. Will be back for sure!!
lively & bustling on a Thursday, quick service, unique twists with our food. Friendly service! would return.
I had the Gulf Shrimp quesadilla & it was amazing!! Food is pricey here, but no more than what the usual would be! Pomegranate margarita was delicious! We came on a Saturday, opened at 11:30 & there was a line out the door waiting already!! We had to wait one hour- ok for a couples place but waiting with 3 kids is not fun!
Restaurantji Recommends
It was awesome. Maybe the best Mexican I’ve ever had. Had the chicken mole; it was fantastic. Had a Paloma; it was fantastic. Will return!
Loved this place! Very friendly staff and the food was great. Owner (Lord Trifle) was a great host and made us feel at home.
Had a party of six and the food and service was fantastic! LOVE their three homemade hot sauces! Ask for Emily...she was a great waitress! Well trained!!!
We have been to El Barrio many times but for some reason on this visit, the staff was incredibly RUDE from the time we walked in until the time we paid and left. I hate to say that I will choose one of the many of other fine restaurants in Birmingham that actually value their guests before returning here.
The heart and soul of downtown Birmingham’s rebirth. Nothing is typical Mexican but everything is fresh, authentic and interesting. The caring staff is what has enabled this place to go above and beyond year after year. The chicken soup, the chorizo meatloaf, and the pozole are standouts. But there’s not a thing on the menu I haven’t loved. Big yes on the tres leches cake, too.