El Salto Redux

Visited:  December 3, 2011

I admit I was somewhat reluctant to visit El Salto after my last meal at this venerable Valpo establishment.  My previous experience resulted in a poor review on Urbanspoon and when the suggestion for lunch here was made, I kind of rolled my eyes and went along... but sometimes you've got to go along just to get along!

Anyway, this visit proved that the Hoosier Epicure can change his mind.  I ordered the Sunday lunch burrito special; one beef, one chicken and they were very tasty.  The meat had been grilled until smokey and tender, then stuffed into soft flour tortillas.  Two thumbs up!  The chips, beans, and rice were all the same, frankly the same you seem to get at any Mexican joint.  But the burritos were definitely good and a vast improvement over previous dishes.  Service was quick, efficient, and unobtrusive.  The tall walls of the booths create somewhat of an intimate atmosphere and allow for private conversation, if that's your thing.

The official name is El Salto Authentic Mexican Restaurant.  So is it authentic?  Doubtful.  It it good?  Yeah, not bad.  I will go again without hesitation.

So there.  I have proven I have an open mind... sort of. 

Value:     7 out of 10  Not bad, deceptively large amount of food.
Cleanliness:  8 out of 10  Did not leave our booth, but everything looked good.
Food Taste:  7 out of 10  This is just for the burritos... the other stuff: ehh!
Service:  9 out of 10  They are there when you need them, speedy quick.
Ambiance:  7 out of 10  More taste (and decorating budget) than El Charro

El Salto
3530 Calumet Ave

Valparaiso, IN 46383

(219) 462-0100

El Charro - Valparaiso, IN

Visited: Saturday - March 13, 2010 8:15 pm


We had a hunger for some Mexican food this evening and decided to hit El Charro.  My Spanish speaking friends tell me "El Charro" means something like a cowboy, but one who dresses in that traditional and elaborate garb often associated with old Mexico.  Located in the old Burger King building on Lincolnway in Valparaiso, El Charro serves up hearty portions of Americanized Mexican food by a mostly Mexican staff.  Once inside and seated, most people would have a difficult time realizing the building once housed a Burger King since only the outside appearance is telltale. 

We were dining relatively late in the evening so I decided to forgo my usual favorite dish and try a smaller combination platter, one with the descriptive and informative name of "Combination #1."  After a huge basket of warm tortilla chips and smooth salsa, then trying to conduct a conversation over the wild antics of the children at the table next to us, our food arrived promptly and piping hot.  On each table are bottles of hot sauce to anoint your food as you see fit and in accordance with your ability to tolerate your tongue quickly turning into a cinder if you're not careful.  My platter contained a beef taco, a beef enchilada, and a tostada complete with a healthy dose of guacamole perched in the midst.  This combo contained no beans or frijoles which was fine--I was trying to have a smaller meal--but nevertheless, there was enough food to leave me completely sated without them. 

Although I don't think Rick Bayless of Frontera Grill fame has anything to worry about, El Charro does provide a satisfying and tasty Tex-Mex meal without breaking the bank.  I say "Tex-Mex" because some of my Mexican friends tell me the food is not exactly like you would find in Mexico.  Like so many ethnic foods, we have Americanized them and to a degree, homogenized them to suit our palates.  Too bad for us, in my opinion. 

Service is friendly and muy rapido... don't worry, that's pretty much the extent of my Spanish.  The decor includes a large mural of downtown Valparaiso, produced by an artist of marginal talent, but dovetailing with the balance of the interior.  I would classify the interior design to be from the Late Mexican Tacky Period, and when combined with their penchant for having all the televisions constantly tuned to soccer or Telemundo, one can walk away believing they have been exposed to authentic Mexican culture.  Or not.

Those issues aside, the place is relatively clean and kept up and they seem to do a brisk business.  I don't hesitate in recommending El Charro for some decent Tex-Mex grub at all.  Dress is casual.

1 star = Montezuma's Revenge Inducing ------ 10 stars = Fiesta Paradise

Ambiance - 5 stars
Food Quality - 7 stars
Service - 7 stars
Cleanliness - 7 stars
Value - 8 stars

El Charro
807 Lincolnway
Valparaiso, IN  46383
219-548-3703