El Gran Charro in Stafford

Growing up in Texas I have tasted a lot of good Tex-Mex food. I also know it just varies based upon location and El Gran Charro is actually pretty darn good. I'm a little disappointed in the steak fajitas as I think the type of beef used or how they are preparing it is not necessarily my style. The texture should be firm and spicy instead of chewy. That said, it's pretty good and I suspect the beef prices are contributing to that issue. The jalapeno bacon appetizer was too spicy for my wife so I had to eat the whole thing. I'll be sure to order it again in the future :-) It's tasty good. The taco salad, drinks, etc. were all spot on and the service is very very good. They were slammed busy and we were never forgotten. Food: 4 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

This place is right off 95 in Aquia . It was very good and they have a lunch menu which is awesome! I tried the shrimp fajitas and they were very good. The service was good and the atmosphere was very nice as well. The bathrooms were also clean! Go here for a good time and good food! I stopped by for lunch again. Tried one of the quesadillas! It was very good and piled high with goodies. This location is a great value for what you get. The lunch menu has a lot of options to satisfy just about anyone for around 10 dollars in most cases! Service is also very good! Service Dine in Meal type Lunch Price per person $10–20 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Recommended dishes Fajitas del Mar, Free Chips and Salsa Parking space Plenty of parking Parking options Free parking lot

So let’s address the elephant in the room at this establishment. I went in to place a to-go order for my family as a treat. The server took my order. He was very shy but sweet. He read me back my order then stated that it would come with a small chips and salsa. I asked if it was only one for all three orders I placed. He said yes. I was shocked but then asked to add on two additional large orders so everyone could have their own. He told me it’ll take about 15 mins so I sat down and waited. Two orders came out and then my order was ready. He came up and gave me my bags. I inspected the bags and asked where the salsa was for the two large orders I placed. He stated that I did have a salsa that was “given” to me “free”. I corrected him and said, you gave ma a small chips and salsa but I ordered two large ones so where was the salsa to go with it. I asked to please have some salsa to go with the chips. He did oblige and got me one large salsa, to which I inquired why one if I had two large orders of chips? He reluctantly went in the back and took his sweet old time as he consulted with everyone I suppose in the back. While I waited the other guy at the front must have heard about my inquiry and then decided to intervene. He then began to tell me that the salsa for the chips I got has to be paid for at a price of $4 or $4.50 he said. I was shocked. I told him under no circumstances was I paying additionally for “salsa” that comes with the meal when I sit down in their establishment I get served CHIPS AND SALSA. So another nosy server decided she’d jump in to save the day and tell me how it works at their restaurant. So now there are three servers defending the “salsa” pot because it’s a paid item that needs to be protected. I guess things are real tight at this restaurant that “salsa” is NO longer an item that goes with chips UNLESS you fork over $5. more dollars. I politely asked to speak to the manager. I’m not sure if this lady was a manger or their buddy but she came over, not a smile on that face, only attitude. As she started and wouldn’t let me get a word in edge-wise, I asked her what was the purpose was for charging for an item that I literally get while I sit down vs to-go. She said and I quote, “What would happen if we stared GIVING away salsa for FREE then everyone would want to just order chips and salsa”! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I was a trying to think before I responded if she was really serious. Unfortunately, she was actually serous and believed that garbage. So that she’s informed IF she reads this review. Ma’am, when you make an order for a PAID meal, it comes with the chips AND salsa! No one in their right mind would walk up to a Spanish restaurant and expect w/o ordering a meal to get chips and salsa. That’s pretty ludicrous that you think that way!! 🤣🥴. So, with all that said and done, I’d caution anyone who’s willing to fork over monies for the “chips and salsa” vs a Walmart run that’ll be cheaper, expect to pay $9.00 for chips, which is what I ordered AND an additional $4.00 / $4.50 for EACH order of salsa, about $20.00. I opted to have her refund the chips since I didn’t want to choke on just naked chips. It’s unimaginable that in an industry that is customer oriented this establishment has NO clue how to address it’s customers. Word to the wise at EL GRAN CHARRO’s, no customers=no money=no employees=no business. Hope this helps anyone else making an informed decision about places in Stafford VA that nickel and dime you over “salsa”. I will rate this experience a 1 as the customer service is shoddy and unwelcoming. It didn’t require 4 people to address 1 customer about “salsa”. “Salsagedeon” is my least favorite thing about this place. On another note, the people who packed my to-go order must be very careless as it spilled everywhere in the bag. I will not return as this experience made the decision VERY easy for me. Adios EL Gran Charro!!! 🤪 Food: 2 Service: 1 Atmosphere: 3

I walked in today at about 12 noon, alone and hungry. Upon entering, I was seated immediately. The table and booth were perfectly clean and comfortable, yet not worn out at all. Within 10 seconds I had a menu, a basket of incredibly fresh chips, a glass of clean water, some salsa and their famous white dipping sauce. So far everything tasted unique, and amazing. I ordered the lunch combo #3, a cheese enchilada, a crispy beef taco, rice and beans. My food arrived within 4 minutes of ordering. Now you might expect that when being served a dish of four different types of items, each requiring a different preparation, that one or more of the item would be cooled off or served at a relatively different temperature than the other items on the plate, but this was perfect. Everything on my plate was hot, and fresh! My waiter checked in at all the right moments to make sure that all of my needs and desires were quickly met. The food was very good and the portions were generous! The place was not empty, but was also not overly crowded. This is a great place for a quick working lunch, or a casually-paced family meal, or a quiet date. This place never disappoints! Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

The menu has something for everyone and you get very nice portions. When I have guests from out of town, I bring them here because I know they will leave satisfied. I recommend coming early for lunch because they are packed daily. The servers are terrific, friendly, and efficient. The crew here is like a well oiled machine. I have never had a bad experience here and have been a patron for 4+ years. I highly recommend the beef nachos and any variety of their street tacos. And if you like spicy, ask for the habanero sauce. Delicious! Service Dine in Meal type Lunch Price per person $20–30 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Recommended dishes Free Chips and Salsa, Refried Beans, Carne Asada Tacos, Steak, Nachos Parking options Free parking lot

WOW! The service here, 10 stars, food 10 stars! As soon as we sat down there were chips and salsa on the table. Food was delicious and came out incredibly fast. Price was very reasonable. Definitely highly recommend this place. Service Dine in Meal type Dinner Price per person $10–20 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Parking space Plenty of parking Parking options Free parking lot

We recently were in Stafford, VA to attend our son's graduation from USMC OCS. We visited El Gran Charro, not once, but TWICE in 24 hours! The service, food, and prices are fantastic. I had the chicken enchiladas with beans/rice and a skinny margarita both times. We are from the west coast where Mexican food is a religion and El Gran Charro exceeded our expectations. I would absolutely recommend dining here. Service Dine in Meal type Dinner Price per person $10–20 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Recommended dishes Free Chips and Salsa, Enchiladas Suizas Parking space Plenty of parking Parking options Free parking lot

Great Tex-Mex food! We went late at night and the staff still treated us very nicely. The chips and salsa were really good and they kept them coming. The main courses were nothing special. The margaritas though were HUGE and delicious. We had a fun time and we will keep coming back. Service Dine in Meal type Dinner Price per person $10–20 Food: 4 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Recommended dishes Free Chips and Salsa Parking space Plenty of parking Parking options Free parking lot