Such amazing place. I love going there when I come in from Calgary. Great people and great food.
What an exciting venture Mel! Can't wait to enjoy the experience
There's no man I'd rather shoot fine tequila with than Scott Dodds!!
A great place to stop in for a drink! Great atmosphere great service and a lot of fun. Food, were all wonderful. We will definitely be going back.
Everything is good here. The tacos, the sopes, the nachos, the fish and shrimp board is really good too: we had the other night. Although the shrimp and fish board was very good, don’t let the menu fool you... says for two people and it’s not. It’s for one person.
Great service, enjoyable atmosphere and flavorful food. A bit cold in the booth by the back door in winter, and kitchen ran a bit long for our mains after the appieswere served, but we had a good time and enjoyed our experience. Again, great service!
El Cortez is an amazing place!!! Such a great atmosphere. We went late(11:45ish), it wasn’t too busy. Just right. Our waitress was great. Very knowledgeable about the drinks. She had some great suggestions for us.
No food on this trip thou. Just some cocktails....
The coconut margarita is probably one of the best I have ever had. I recommend to any margarita lover.
Also the selection of Mezcal is superb. I’m a mezcal fan so it worked for me.
We will be coming back to eat all the tacos at El Cortez on our next trip to YEG.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
First time dining here. We chose this place because of their dog friendly patio - we had just attended the Art walk and decided to go for a bite.
Venue: Interesting venue. Interior is very nice. The back patio is eclectic with loads of space and good shade.
Staff: Ok, this is where they lost points. When we arrived at the front there was a family or 3 waiting ahead of us and they said they had been waiting a long while and no one came to greet them. We all continued to wait a while before anyone came. Both parties requested to be seated in the back patio so the waitress said we had to go around to the back. So back out and around the building we went where we waited. And waited. And waited. And waited... The hostess never came to meet us to let us in like she said. Several servers saw us, made eye contact but didn’t come over. Finally a customer seated close to the door popped the gate open because he saw us waiting and waiting and felt sorry of us. We seated ourselves and a waitress came over to finally serve us
Food: Seriously one of the most delicious meals I’ve had in yeg. Because it was our first time we decided to order a variety of appetizers to share and they were all delicious. So many flavours and not the tired, reused and abused dishes you see at the big chains. Eat here.
Went for Taco Tuesday and loved it! The pork carnitas were delicious and the tres leches was so good I’m still thinking about it. I honestly can’t wait to go back
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
My Dinner Club went here at the end of October for our Day of the Dead themed meeting. The decor was perfect...Skulls and creepy stairway to bathrooms.
Our server was friendly and helpful...got the first to arrive early into the happy hour treats (drinks and chips etc.). Strange collage of movie clips played on the wall throughout the night...not sure what that was about.
Food was delicious but perhaps a bit overpriced for the sizes. Also, it’s too bad you can’t mix and match taco flavours. Fortunately I shared with a friend so we ordered two different tacos and swapped to be able to try more than one.
First appetizers: the homemade chips (both corn and potato) were delicious. My friends wished there were a bit more potato ones thrown in the mix. The guacamole was good as was the Pico de Gallo.
Drinks: I had an original margarita which was lovely. Not in the standard large rimmed glass though. Then I opted for a beer for a cheaper price tag (I can’t recall the name). One friend bought tequila shots for the non drivers. Fortunately I still had my margarita glass and used that lime and salt from my rim...I don’t like tequila shots with the standard salt lime which wasn’t given.
Starters: the Mexicali Poutine was good but not really poutine as it was basically just potato chunks. The Valentina’s Fried Cauliflower with Aji Aioli dip was fantastic...my kids might even eat vegetables if served this way.
Tacos: my friend and I shared the Arrachera Steak taco and the Bulgogi Steak. Both were tasty but my favourite was the Bulgogi, with lovely tangy picked cabbage, a subtle sesame flavour and excellent BBQ aioli.
Dessert: not many wanted dessert but enough did (including me) to order one serving of Churros with warm caramel sauce. I’ve actually never had churros before so I can’t compare to other places but these were warm, doughy and sugary...yum!
I came here with a friend for Taco Tuesday in which tacos were half off regular price per order (2 tacos), so $6. It was quite busy so there was a waitlist. You can choose to stand around or walk around and wait for them to text you when your table is ready. My friend and I decided to try 4 different taco flavours: grilled pescado, bulgogi steak, charred corn and mushroom and cinnamon braised pork. The one I liked the most was the bulgogi steak. My friend liked the grilled pescado most. The portions are quite small in my opinion. I think on average, you'd need 2-3 orders to be full.
Really cool atmosphere. Good drinks. Food was tasty and fresh but portion could have been a bit bigger. I will definitely be back to try more food and more margarita
Best place to come during happy hour. Always great specials and delicious food. We always start with the cauliflower and share a few different plates. Have yet to be disappointed.
Came to El Cortez on a date last week. Even on a weeknight we should have made reservations because we had to sit at the bar. Atmosphere is cool and food was delivered fast. Tried the fish and shrimp taco, and the cinnamon pork taco. The latter was especially tasty. It's on the slightly more expensive side of things when you consider the tacos aren't huge ($6-7 per taco). I recommend ordering 3 per person.
Super cool atmosphere. The drinks were good, but very expensive. The food was really tasty, but perhaps on the pricier side for what you get.
A great place to stop in for a drink and/or meal! We stopped in on a Wednesday evening, just to grab a drink and chat. The new summer menu is out and it is tasty! (drinks turned into food when we saw the new offerings! What? We're easily persuaded!)
Great atmosphere, great service and a lot of fun. You're paying Whyte Ave prices, and have to pay to park, but that's the only downside.
Taco Tuesday is amazing!!! Was able to try 4 different kinds of tacos and they were all amazing! 50% off tacos on Tuesday. The atmosphere is very Mexican and the music is loud inside so be prepared for that if you go. The patio is nice the only I might say is that the chairs aren't as comfortable outdoors. Overall great experience and it was some pretty great Mexican food. Will definitely be back!
A great place to stop in for a drink and/or meal! We stopped in on a Wednesday evening, just to grab a drink and chat. The new summer menu is out and it is tasty!
El Cortez has been around for the past two years with a couple of ups and down. Vue Weekly sums it up pretty eloquently here. I’ve been here a couple times now for both drinks and food – this place is bumpin’ on Friday and Saturday nights. The outside is slick with a couple benches to sit at although I’ve never seen anyone out there. Maybe it’s just for show?
Between rave reviews from the foodie community, line ups down the street to get in, their T certification from the Tequila Regulatory Council, and their infamous Chef Lindsay Porter (one of only a handful of women executive chefs in the city), I've been dying to try El Cortez for quite some time. I finally made it there for my birthday with Craig and some good friends: Aaron, Amber, Rob, and Stacey.
Amazing! The service, atmosphere, and most importantly food, was all wonderful. We will definitely be going back. We were there during happy hour and the $5 margaritas were perfect on a hot day, and the tacos are made for sharing. We might check out the Monday comedy nights soon, tacos & comedy? Win!
This place is amazing. The cocktail menu is delicious and always does the job. The food is always really good and very visually pleasing. You always leave more than satiated. One downside is that it is a bit pricey, but to be fair they are using high end ingredients and top shelf liquor. We always take family and friends to this place when we have visitors.
Easily best tacos and guac I've had. I ordered the "Redneck" had some sort of fantastic cheese and a sweet/tangy sauce. Will be going back for more!
A couple of weeks ago, I went to El Cortez for the first time and was really impressed! I had heard really good things about El Cortez from a few of my friends, and when I was lucky enough to be invited to their Cinco De Mayo party, I was definitely interested!. El Cortez is small building right off Whyte. It offers a Mexican kitchen and tequila bar. They specialize in modern Latin food and tequila. Chef Lindsay Porter has created a menu which encompasses everything from tapas, to Latin entrées, to gourmet street foods & tacos, to nuevo latino fusion dishes. Interesting fact : they are one of only 9 establishments in the world certified by the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (The Tequila Regulatory Council)!
As a place I frequent for tasty tacos and guacamole on the patio in the summer time, I was excited to see El Cortez offer brunch starting the weekend of March 19 & 20. Every weekend from 11AM - 2PM the restaurant offers five brunch dishes at a great price of $14.
El Cortez is a strong contender in the Edmonton brunch scene. Although the menu is small there is something for everyone at a very affordable price. Service is great, food is tasty, and the lively environment is perfect for fun, casual brunch. If you don't feel strongly about any dishes in particular the regular menu is available too, so swing by on the weekend and let me know what you think!
Amazing food, amazing tequila, stuck up wait staff. Loved the tacos, amazing margaritas. Could have done without the sideways looks and attitude from the servers.
Went on Taco Tuesday and it was worth it for us. Food was OK, I found some of the combinations a bit puzzling and we still ended up paying quite a lot after appitizers and drinks. I'll go back, but probably only on a Tuesday.
Gluten Free Edmonton
+4.5
We were recently invited to El Cortez Mexican Kitchen and Tequila Bar to sample their new 2015 winter menu. Amanda and I always love Mexican food. Not just because Mexican food uses a lot of corn flour, but because the flavours are bold and beautiful. We arrived at the event about a half hour into things, so other bloggers and foodies were way ahead of, sampling the delicious flavours El Cortez has to offer. But we didn't just jump into things, after all, we have to watch what we eat.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Came for a late lunch on recommendation this place had some tacos that were the real deal. I did a little research and found out the chef here is quite the culinary competitor. Although she does not compete in the same field as this restaurant, It shows there's somebody in the back thats doing more than throwing shit on a plate. It wasn't very busy but we got sat at a high table near the back. 3 seconds on that chair and my back hurt. That it one of the worst chairs I've ever sat on. I'm not old enough to be complaining about chairs. But anyway, make sure you get a booth, or I'd elect to stand.We ordered a couple palomas to start as it was happy hour. They came out quick and were very good. I ordered 2 types of tacos, So I could get a feel for the place and my lady friend ordered the chicken enchiladas. The bulgogi tacos were the clear winner of the night. Pickled cabbage, Onion and a really nice sauce to bring it all together, they were great. The fish tacos were no slackers either, crunchy fish and a soft guacamole underneath. Also very good. But they don't last, they get soggy quite fast. Don't waste too much time instagramming or your fish tacos will wilt on you. The chicken enchiladas were good, Surprisingly nicely plated for what it is. No complaints on those, but the tacos were the clear winners.The service is a bit off. We asked to be moved away from the torture chairs and were informed we had to wait and see if one of the 30 open tables were available. It took almost 10 minutes for them to return. Then when we ordered the Palomas she called it a grapefruit drink or something. I simply repeated ,to make sure we were on the same page. I got a bit of a funny look. When I ordered the bulgogi tacos I got a similar response. She said "ok, the steak tacos" steak is a very broad term, So again I double checked we were on the same page and again she repeated " ya, the steak tacos" as if I had ordered incorrectly. this isn't the end of the world but there's no need to be argumentative about it. nobody insulted me or anything like that, but her tone was not synonymous with good service.Overall it's pricey and the service wasn't spectacular but the food was very good. So if your in a patient mood and enjoy Mexican food I'd say its worth checking out.One other thing I'd add is its a louder place. No big deal to me, But by the end of our meal I almost had to shout across the table when I wanted to converse. Just a warning if that's something that bothers you. But it is at the end of the day a bar and it comes with the territory.
The food here is pretty good. Have been several times for taco tuesday and only recently ordered their entrees. The beef tenderloin was very tasty.
The service here was exceptional, they were late to bring out one of the dishes at the table and not only comped the dish but sent shots over to the table and an extra drink. Service like this really makes this restaurant stand out. A lot of the smaller casual dining restaurants don't go out of their way for customers like they do here.
This was already becoming one of my go to restaurants and after service like this i will continue to come back.
I've been here quite a few times, and I absolutely adore the food. I think the food and drinks here far surpasses Tres Carnales. My only complaint is that it can be REALLY loud inside on busy nights when they have the music going during dinnertime.
Loved the patio on this place! It was a great place for a variety of delicious drinks, tasty eats and a fabulous atmosphere. It has great service and the manager made a point of being social with us.
You must try the tacos and the cauliflower!!
El Cortez Mexican Kitchen + Tequila Bar. Let's taco 'bout it.With its eclectic storefront, El Cortez holds promise of providing a unique dining experience. Located just steps away from the main Whyte Ave strip, diners are transported from the drab streets of Edmonton to a hip, colourful, and lively Mexican eatery.
With two visits to El Cortez in a week, this is on my list of my go-to spots for quick bites! It's a great option for Mexican food south of the river, and I would definitely recommend stopping in during happy hour for some very affordable eats. Chef Lindsay Porter has done a great job with the menu overhaul and I'm definitely looking forward to trying other dishes on the menu. Unfortunately for me, I only ever have cravings for Mexican food in warm weather, so I'm going to have to get my fix before fall comes. If you're anything like me, head on down to El Cortez for some tacos and cold drinks before saying goodbye to summer until next year!
It was absolutely amazing. I was happy with the atmosphere. The cuisine was delicious and inviting. I enjoyed the tuna ceveche removed the peanuts. Had a Margarita. The tequila selection was impressive to say the least. Can't wait for the next expedition to this fine establishment.
Great tacos. Half menu was 86d and beer was half out on tap. But again, great tacos. I'd come back to try the rest of the menu. Great hipster feeling
The food is amazing. I would love to come back and try more flavours of the tacos. The pork tacos had a unique flavor (with the cinnamon) and the tuna tacos were amazing. The server Ali however was extremely horrendous. She would honestly be the reason why I would not come back. She was horribly rude. Even swore at our table (and not in a humours friendly funny way).
Cool atmosphere, decent food.. The tacos and the cauliflower appetizer are DELICIOUS!
Really Good!. Had a wonderful meal at El Cortez- our second visit (the 1st at Valentines) and again, it was a great experience. The staff were very welcoming and friendly, even though it was very busy.... they took care of us all night. I had the fish tacos. You have to try the fried cauliflower also....the dipping sauce is so good.
Great atmosphere, gets very busy on the weekend, so I would suggest a reservation. I know we'll be back again!
A great find.. We arrived late Sat night with no reservation and the place was busy. Still the friendly staff managed to find us a spot downstairs, which was a pleasant surprise.Started with some fried cauliflower, very tasy. I had the Yucatan fried pollo. Very tender and the dark sauce was excellent. My wife had the tacos which she loved, well presented and generous portions. Will definitely return.
Second time here. Tacos were on special and so were margaritas. Good drink but only 4 on the menu which is like a Canadian bar not having more than 6 beer choices. Guac was great and plentiful nice to have two types of chips in there. Tacos were good too although flour tortillas.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Great Experience!. I went here not too long ago with some friends and we had a great time. The atmosphere of the place is really cool and unique when you walk in, it sort of feels like an old fashion Mexican cantina.
The Food: Overall I was super impressed! We all shared the fried cauliflower to start. I don't know what the sauce is that they put on it, but its so good! I'll definitely be ordering that next time I go and I highly recommend it. I had the ground beef tacos for my main and everything tasted really fresh as well.
The service: After reading the reviews on here I thought this place was going to be bad for service, but the waitress we had was polite, got all of our orders right, and I never saw my glass empty which is the most important thing haha. Our food also came out reasonably fast considering how busy it was so I have no complaints.
Overall we really liked this place. Its a cool, and more exciting place to go than your usual restaurant, and we all really liked the music they played as well.
Great food. Amazing drinks. Awesome staff. Stellar decor. Everyone needs to go, many times.
Overall experience was great. Taco Tues are a good deal and drunks were tasty. As we were about to leave the screens changed from the hockey game to naked women music videos (i am guessing?). Not sure it that was a one off or standard practice after 9pm. Good rule to live by if you are wondering if something is sexist or not, consider would you like to have the person in the video be a naked guy running around. If not than it is probably disrespectful. Would go back for a second try hopefully sans awkward videos.
I don't understand the poor reviews for this place. I had the tortilla soup, chicken taco pork taco and Nachos with salsa. Everything was incredible! The servers were very knowledgeable and friendly overall I had a great experience here.
Would recommend. Came in for $2 taco tuesday. I was a bit skeptical based on the reviews read on here. However, they were all amazing, particularly the short rib and the steak tacos. Meat was extremely tender. Some of the staff mentioned they recently got a new chef, so the food seems to have done a 360.
Food and drinks quick to come out, and pleasant staff.
Additionally, the decor is next level and really unique. Something to see for sure.
I'll be back.
Great spot for dinner with friends. Our server was very friendly and provided lots of great suggestions. Loved the cauliflower the flavours were amazing! Have to come back to try Coconut Tequila
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Great service and very cool venue. I've been to El Cortez twice. The first time I went the food was very good. I had chicken tacos and though it wasn't large - it was also reasonably priced and came with a zesty small side salad which was so delicious. I also had a delicious grapefruit margarita and the whole bill was only about $15 which I thought was surprisingly low. The second time I went the salad dressing wasn't quite as delightful however I tried the chips and guac as well as the pork tacos and both were very good. My boyfriend had the burger and fries and he was very impressed. The best part about our visit was that we had very good service and the waiter and manager both checked in often and were open to feedback. I'm hoping with a few tweaks the kitchen will find a way to deliver its best every time. The room itself is so interesting and every little corner has a unique detail. I am certain that I'm older than their target market but I will be back as I think it's a very cool and comfortable new place to eat on (off) the Ave. In fact I'm going again tonight with friends who are dying for a good margarita! :)
I don't understand all these bad reviews. The drinks are great, large tequila selection. The food is even better! I had the steak tacos that were on special and they were amazing. My friend had a burger which he enjoyed as well. They're putting the effort in and it shows. Much better than having a dirty hip hop bar in this location. Don't listen to the naysayers, go check it out!
An error has occurred! Please try again in a few minutes