El Taco Grande

We went here with friends of ours from the suburbs that told us that this place was 'kid friendly'. At first, it appeared that it was; as we approached the entrance a large family with three toddlers was exiting. When we got inside however, we got a completely different impression. There was a wait so we stood by the door and I approached the host because my friend had put our name in. I told him that we'd need a table that accommodated our stroller since our son had fallen asleep in there. The told me that strollers were not allowed in the restaurant. Incredulous I asked, ""is there really no where in the restaurant, maybe in a corner, that you can put us?"" Another man approached and said harshly, ""fine, but you're going to have to wait longer because there are only two tables in the corner"". I said, 'that's fine but if a corner table opens up you'll sit us there"" to which he replied again, 'you're going to have to wait longer"". At this point, fed up, and since I had scoped out the dining room before approaching the host and knew that they had two separate eating areas and thus (theoretically 8 corner tables) I replied harshly, ""do you want me to walk you through the restaurant and point out to you the tables in the corner?"". A third man (apparently named Carlos) chimed in at this point and said ""Well you can't eat here honey"". I'm hispanic so I'm highly attuned to the gender role differences and that machismo but that last comment drove me over the edge. I told him not to call me honey, that is was degrading to which he said, ""have a good night"" and I replied, ""we will because we won't be eating here"". I then proceeded to insult him in Spanish, and again in English, and left. Needless to say we will NEVER EVER attempt to eat here again. And if you have small kids or request that they might find mildly annoying I'm sure they'll treat you as badly as they treated us. In the hospitality business there is something called pragmatism that is REQUIRED so that even if you can't meet the customer's needs you can make them feel appreciated and like you are sorry and tried. This restaurant does not have a drop of it. more

The basics are this...if you enjoy Mexican food for the flavor, avoid this place at all costs. It's the worst, blandest, most expensive Mexican you'll encounter. $4 for a ground beef taco? Go over one town to Aurora, where you can get exceptional Mexican meals for $5.95! The salsa is like ketchup. The cheese is American cheese or cheddar, seems to be whatever they have on hand, and the service is rude beyond belief. This place is a total waste of your time and money. Don't bother. more

I just left this restaurant after having lunch with a friend. What a great authentic experience in Mexican food. My parents introduced me to this place a year ago and the food quality is still that good. Never a bad experience. Good Service, Good Food and I think reasonable pricing. more

I attended a birthday dinner at Taco Grande with about twelve other people and we had reservations but still had to wait about a half an hour to get seated our table wasn't even ready. Once seated we had the most rude waitress I have ever seen. She SAT at the other end of the table and literally yelled down at all the guests for their orders. One of the guests suggested that she walk down to the other end of the table to take their orders instead of yelling and she replied""no my knees hurt and I'm tired. I've never been to a ""Mexican"" restaurant that serves american cheddar for cheese. The salsa sucks also it tasted like barbque sauce. To top it off there was flies flying around our head and one even landed on our straw. I would never go there again their prices are to high and you get served a baby sized coke for 1.95 each there is no small , med. or large,just small so they get you to want another one and another one just to finish with your meal. This happened at the Taco Grande on Randall Road in Batavia. Pros: Very rude waitress. Cons: Bad service more

First time visit on 6/7, before the Cougars game; we went to the downtown Batavia location. There were 4 of us, and we were all happy with the service and the selections. Food had great flavor, and the portions were generous. My husband (the chilehead) asked for extra hot sauce. What he got was some kind of chipotle sauce, with not a lot of heat, but great flavor! The prices are a bit on the high side, but the ambience was good. The menu might be improved with a few dessert selections. Overall, a good visit. We'll definitely go again some time! Pros: Excellent food, nice ambience Cons: Slightly high prices, no desserts more

This place is amazzzzzzzzzzzing !!!! I would go there every day and eat it if i could!! Yes the prices are a little bit on the higher side but its totally worth it!\r There are no regrets to where my money goes. Not only is the food amazing but the great food comes with great and friendly service! El Taco Grande is my place to just sit and relax with company, it is a very comfortble atmosphere!!!\r I LOVE EL TACO GRANDE !!!! YOU WON'T REGRET EATING THERE!!! Pros: ammaazzing Food!!!! more

This place is really a diamond in the rough. My family loves this place! -Even my 3-yr old enjoys it! The menu choices are endless; everything from simple to spicy. Most of the dishes are accented with a side of mild rice and of course, beans. -But let me stress this...the beans are out of this world! They are so well done, so fresh, soooo yummy! -They just melt in your mouth. \r The atmosphere is simple, yet comfortable. \r The service is sweet and friendly. \r So far, our experience has been a very pleasant one. \r And anyone who claims to enjoy true mexican cuisine needs to visit this El Taco Grande Restaurant! more

If you cannot make it to the city...then Jet here....Its the BEST in the BURBS!!! The shredded beef burotto is by far the best thing on the menu, however you'll be happy with just about anything you order..the $$$$ is a little steep but its in a higher rent area. Pros: Great Mexican food Cons: A little pricey for Mexican! more

You can't beat the food at ""the big taco"". Everything from their enchiladas to their margaritas are authentic. more

I know you may be saying to yourself, Batavia, what tha *@%....? But, from the same city that brought you the Mighty Fox River and.. well, the Mighty Fox River, comes this culinary darling of a restaurant snuggled away on an indiscriminate street in an indiscriminate town. Regrettably, I haven't been to El Taco Grande since my formative childhood years, but one thing I'll never forget are the quesadillas or the friendly staff who took a chance on a high school kid and taught him how to make these infamous tasty quesadillas one day. And after El Taco Grande, you can swing around the corner for a massage, and call it a night. Pros: proximity to fultos, food, it's batavia, duh Cons: windmills create over, abundance of electric, it's batavia, duh more