El Imperial Mexican Restaurant

My husband brought me here 20 years ago and we have stopped in frequently over the years. The staff comes and goes but the food has always been tasty and fresh; while the staff friendly and attentive. I am sorry to say not this time and a few before it. \r \r It was just after the lunch rush and the place was relatively quiet. Plenty of staff on hand. We were seated promptly and a drink order taken. Chips and salsa came with the drinks. The chips were delicious but the salsa was bland, watery and extremely hot. I can still feel the burn at 9 o'clock tonight. My husband had the beef fajitas and I thought to try the shrimp enchiladas from the lunch menu. When I asked about the sauce the shrimp were prepared in first (which was listed on the menu) and the waiter could not answer... he just kept saying shrimp... cheese... He had no idea what the menu said. Another waiter could not answer either. We asked to give us a few more minutes and I think he took a siesta. When he returned he was a bit short with us. \r \r I thought the shrimp would still be a good choice because its just enchiladas - a pretty basic meal. Not here. What was written on the menu and what I received were two different entities. The platter came out with a dry rice, totally tasteless refried beans and a lump of half-melted white cheese sprinkled with tiny shrimp. When i lifted the cheese lump to find the enchiladas - There were 3 red corn tortillas, rolled tiny enough to be a taquito with that orange fake cheese in the can you see in large quantities at walmart as the filling. NO MARINATED SHRIMP. It was mushy and very unappetizing. Nothing on the plate tasted good. Even the itty-bitty shrimp were plain and dry. I was so hungry that I stole my husbands pico de gallo and guacamole to scoop up the shrimp and cheese with chips. His fajitas were dry and tough, and the beans and rice were same as mine - BLAHHHHHHH. \r \r None of the waiters ever came back over to see if we needed anything or ask about the meal. NO ONE ASKED HOW OUR MEAL WAS. Even when he asked to take the full plate of food away. Not even the owner at the register. We're done. Third bad meal here and its our last!! Don't waste your money, they don't care anymore. more

Been going to El Imperial since 1991 when it was 1/3 of the size it is now and the owner & her husband ran the place. Still see the owner and she still remembers us even after all these years. Food is excellent and prices are reasonable. Try a gold margarita and be prepared - they do free pour and they are GOOD!! Tucked away behind the Dunkin Donuts but walking distance from Houston NW Medical Center. TRY THIS PLACE! You'll love it. Pros: GREAT FOOD, GOOD SERVICE AND VERY PERSONAL more

I have been going to El Imperial since I moved to Houston in 1992. The service has always been fast, the food authentic Mexican, not Tex-Mex, and the Margaritas good! They often offer coupons through Kroger or the coupon mailer so if your are on a budget this is a deal! The Chili Rellenos are huge. I brought my parents from LA and they loved the food as well. It can get busy during lunch and happy hour especially on Friday. I have to admit the decor is kind of cheesy but kind of reminds me of some places I've been in Mexico. As far as the women trying to bring in her own drink, most restaurants don't take it kindly for you to do that. It hurst there business. I think if you try it, you'll like it! Watch out for the Margaritas, though, they are pretty potent, but they will gladly adjust it to your taste! Pros: Authentic Mexican food, friendly service, great Margaritas Cons: Poor Lighting. more

ok here's my opinion, first of all I have read all of this reviews and have to say to that negative lady: ok if you go out to eat often you should know YOU CAN'T GET YOUR OWN DRINK IN this is a policy that all restaurants have not just el imperial, there's no point of bring your own drink because the sale will be lost, the prices at this place are great, not that cheap as taquerias are but they are lot lots better than taquerias. About the credit card charge of $5.00 this is a policy even dollar store have, cleaners and most restaurants, every single business have to pay to a 3rd company for processing they're credit cards, YOU NEED TO EDUCATE YOUR SELF A LITTLE BIT BEFORE COMPLAIN every single credit card transaction have a processing fee and this is why EL IMPERIAL HAVE THIS POLICY THAT THEY WILL TAKE YOUR CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD WITH A PURCHASES OF MORE THAN $5.00. we all know that if you go there and eat like a normal person you will expend more than $5.00 but there's some people that just go there get full of free chips and salsa order a water to drink (free) and get a single enchilada at the end you will be paying only the enchilada.\r \r \r OH MY GOD THE GREATER'S FOOD EVER, I BEEN HUNTING FOR GOOD MEXICAN FOOD EVERYWHERE AND THIS IS THE PLACE THAT HAVE IT ALL! GREAT FOOD, LIVE MUSIC ON SATURDAYS AND MARGARITAS TO DIE FOR! SERVICE IS ALWAYS EXCELLENT AS FOR MY GUY, ""TINO"" WRITE HIS NAME HE IS AWESOME, HE BRINGS YOUR FOOD ON TIME AND NEVER HAVE TO ASK FOR REFILL! HE WILL TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOU! PLUS GET A COUPON FROM KROGERS AND SAVE 4 BUCKS.\r \r PLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR OWN DRINK, THEY HAVE IT THERE FOR YOU, AND PLEASE TRY TO EXPENDS MORE THAN 5 BUCKS IF YOU ARE PAYING WITH PLASTIC (C.C) DON'T FORGET THE TIP! :)\r BY THE WAY WE HAVE BEEN GOING TO THAT PLACE SINCE 1999. \r Pros: quick service, food served on time, great prices Cons: friday you have to wait to be seated this place get very busy on fridays and some saturdays more

The food here is totally generic and the atmosphere is cheesy. My margarita was like pure grain alcohol with a dash of strawberry mix. If you're looking for that quality in your cocktails, this place delivers big time. I would not make a trip there solely for a good meal though. more

My friend and I went to lunch at El Imperial on Tuesday December 12th because it is within walking distance of the hospital we work at. My friend can only drink diet soda but not cola (which is all El Imperial has) so she had brought her own diet soda can with her for lunch because there was no sign stating you could not bring your own drink with you. The wait staff became very rude to us in trying to physically take the drink away from my friend even though my friend said that since she was now aware that you could not bring a drink in she would not do it again. Then on checking out and paying our bill I never carry cash because I always use my check/debit card and they refused to let me pay for my meal because it was less than $5.00 although again there was no sign stating you had to spend more than $5.00 to use check/debit card. We had to cancel my friends order and place both of them together on one card. I requested from the lady (Maria) checking us out what the manager's name was because we wanted to write a complaint on our experience/service today and she refused stating he was out of town and I did not need to know his name! We will never go to this restaurant again if this how customers are treated! more

good food. cheap food. Never a wait. the bar is stocked full of alcohol. more