The menu was sufficiently interesting and the food was good enough to warrant a second visit. However, the service was not. The waiter seemed quite indifferent to our presence. As just some... More

The menu was sufficiently interesting and the food was good enough to warrant a second visit. However, the service was not. The waiter seemed quite indifferent to our presence. As just some examples, we were not asked for drink or appetizer orders, he watched our food be plated by the chef and THEN went to take an order for another table, we were not acknowledged on our way out by anyone. And this was NOT a busy time: only 4-5 tables seated. We do appreciate good food but also expect the service to match when dining out. There was a clear mismatch at El Meson and given the many other choices in the neighborhood, we won't be back.
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Great atmosphere, great tapas menu. They have great nightly specials - if you love something you might never see it again. We love the sangria, too! Pros: jambalaya Cons: they don't always... More

Great atmosphere, great tapas menu. They have great nightly specials - if you love something you might never see it again. We love the sangria, too! Pros: jambalaya Cons: they don't always serve the jambalaya
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A delightful combination of traditional spanish entrees, like paella, with contemporary caribbean flavors. El meson also offers an impressive wine list to complement the exotic flavors. Start with... More

A delightful combination of traditional spanish entrees, like paella, with contemporary caribbean flavors. El meson also offers an impressive wine list to complement the exotic flavors. Start with the peras, they're the bomb.
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El Meson is one of my favorite spots in town. The food is always great as well as the service, they are so personable. I love the tapa menu and there great wine list, with some really wonderful... More

El Meson is one of my favorite spots in town. The food is always great as well as the service, they are so personable. I love the tapa menu and there great wine list, with some really wonderful Spanish and South American wines and you can't beat the 1/2 price bottles Sun-Thurs. Try and go on a saturday night when they have the Flamenco music. You feel like you have stepped out of Minneapolis and into a cozy little restaurant in Spain!
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I spent my New Year's Eve in the company of good friends at El Meson. I had a such a fantastic experience from the attentive service to the excellent food to the live flamenco music. They had a... More

I spent my New Year's Eve in the company of good friends at El Meson. I had a such a fantastic experience from the attentive service to the excellent food to the live flamenco music. They had a special holiday menu which featured an imaginative variety of entrees, salads and appetizers. The "Borrego" - lamb - caught my eye as it was marinated in cinnamon and paprika and served with roasted red pepper mashed potatoes and asparagus. Every bite was so savory and rich, it was disappointing when my plate was empty. I have been to El Meson quite a few times over the past couple of years and have always been treated so well by the staff and have never been disappointed in anything.
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I would strongly recommend El Meson. I've been going there for years, and is one of my favorites. The arroz con pollo is especially good! Pros: Great food Cons: Some items can be spendy

I would strongly recommend El Meson. I've been going there for years, and is one of my favorites. The arroz con pollo is especially good! Pros: Great food Cons: Some items can be spendy
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This place is wonderful!! I've never been to an upsale Mexican restaurant but this one takes the cake as far as service, presentation and ambience it offers. Pros: Elegant place to have a... More

This place is wonderful!! I've never been to an upsale Mexican restaurant but this one takes the cake as far as service, presentation and ambience it offers. Pros: Elegant place to have a romantic dinner Cons: none
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El Meson has an ambiance perfect for dining with a sweetheart or visiting with a group of good friends. The servers are pleasant and accomodating. The food is absolutely delicious--from the bread,... More

El Meson has an ambiance perfect for dining with a sweetheart or visiting with a group of good friends. The servers are pleasant and accomodating. The food is absolutely delicious--from the bread, to the tapas, to the entrees. The paella is absolutely wonderful and worth the wait. The scallops are fabulous; the rice dishes consistently delicious and flavorful. El Meson's lunch buffet is an incredible value with a fantastic variety of delicious entrees, fruits, salads and desserts (and delectable ribs!) It's obvious that great care is given in choosing wines. The superb sangria on a warm summer night coupled with a fresh and flavorful seafood entree is a divine South Minneapolis dining experience. The fabulous white chocolate bread pudding or above-average key lime pie may encourage you to follow dinner with a walk around Lake Harriet. Pros: Ambiance, Menu choices, Sangria, Desserts Cons: Can be rather popular--make a reservation on Fridays and Saturdays
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I used to go to El Meson years ago and I thought the food was pretty good. But when it was bought by Erin Ungerman and Hector Ruiz it suddenly became my favorite restaurant in the Twin Cities. A... More

I used to go to El Meson years ago and I thought the food was pretty good. But when it was bought by Erin Ungerman and Hector Ruiz it suddenly became my favorite restaurant in the Twin Cities. A average decor was transformed into a beautifully simple yet elegant atmosphere where you can lose yourself in the bold, vibrant colors. Of course the best thing is the food. I love the lunch buffet! There are the succulent pork ribs and the wonderful wings. The fresh rice pudding is always my favorite way of ending a delicious lunch. At dinner time I love the Arroz Con Camarones and the mouthwatering Arroz Con Mariscos. You will not regret your visit there, I promise. I'll be back again and again! Pros: The food and the atmosphere Cons: No breakfast
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In my dining experience at El Meson, I encountered a unique yet brilliant marriage of cultural integrity and culinary delight. True to Spanish and Caribbean mores, warmth was not limited to the... More

In my dining experience at El Meson, I encountered a unique yet brilliant marriage of cultural integrity and culinary delight. True to Spanish and Caribbean mores, warmth was not limited to the charming ambiance or the piping hot food, but was also genuinely personified as ?afectuoso? by the restaurant staff. I plan to return to El Meson again and would positively become a regular if I lived closer, but I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an experience with authentic and robust appeal to all five senses! (Not to mention appeal to the pocketbook: meals are very reasonably priced and you won't want to miss out on the half-price bottles of wine Sun-Thu!)
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