Review El Sarape - Braintree

This was our first time there and we came to celebrate my birthday. We expected a nice happy athmosphere and a bright beautiful interior, which usually Mexican restaurants are famous about... The walls are GREY 🙈 and the overall look is very sad... just look at my pictures. Also, weird narrow tables where you cant properly fit plates. Didn't feel clean... When we stepped in, we had to stand right in the middle of the dining room, not knowing what to do and there was no host in sight. There were about 5-6 waitresses, as a group in front of us, but no one greeted us or even looked at us. After about 5-7 minutes I got very frustrated and was ready to leave. At that time someone came and just asked how many people - no greeting, no smile. We got a table next to a large group of people. As I said, the tables are very narrow and small. Also, the set up of the room is very uncomfortable. You basically are forced to sit in a straight line with all other clients, way too close to other groups (about 1 foot) - uncomfortable to talk and very uncomfortable for the time of covid... it's strange, as the restaurant was only half busy at the time (Saturday at 6:30 pm). The main TV in the room was off, but there was a working TV right above our table and half of the room was staring at our side all the time, watching the TV and of course us, too. What a weird set up 🙄😬 The waitress was ok, but didnt introduce herself and dropped a few things on the floor (a part of our food and our mask) 🤦‍♀️ Service was slower than it should be... Food... in general, it was enjoyable. However, enchilada with chicken had NO TASTE at all, no any vegetables included, no guacamole, very very plain. Tacos with fish and tacos with beef were not bad, but had incredibly spicy sauce at the bottom that ruined it. The chips were cold and the sauce was not good. I had a grilled sirloin with a sausage, enchilada, rice and beans. Meat was not soft at all, so I couldn't finish more than a half, but the rest of the dish was good. Strange experience over all... we will not be back.

I went with my family and what a big, big disappointment, I know the restaurant from long time and it was always fine, I didn’t back until yesterday after the pandemic and I regret because I was the one who recommended. We were waiting when we got there to be seated and until I asked one of the waitresses one took us to the table, they had like 3 waitresses and nobody could help, we order and the sodas were flat, the food that used to come with beans and rice was just a little bit of steak with onions and jalapeños, more onions and jalapeños I would say, the burros my husband requested had grounded beef instead of steak (they do this to save money and it tastes nasty because you don’t know what kind of beef they use). The steak my kids had was so greasy, I am not a complainer but this is not right. The tables high, very uncomfortable. Before they had cake, flan or something sweet, I didn’t see it in the menu. I went to the bathroom before I left and very dirty, your shoes sticking on the floor. Nothing was right. To the owner: If you really care about your business do something, don’t try to reduce your costs by degrading the food and service you had years ago. Don’t be surprised if your customers don’t go back if you keep doing the same thing over and over. You should say the restaurant is Tex-Mex now but I would rather go to Taco Bell at this point. I am definitely not going back, my relationship with El Sarape is over. I will look for other real Mexican Restaurant.

My other half and I visited after a recommendation from a friend. The server Was just brilliant- but the food? Sorry to say, Taco Bell was better. The fish was literally tasteless and felt like it was straight from a can. The chicken was dark and gamey and the whole establishment didn’t feel very clean. Everything was so tasteless and we couldn’t even eat one bite. I’m not sure what happened because, from what I heard, it was so good at one point in time. I’d definitely look elsewhere though.

I’ve been coming to El Sarape for years as I grew up in the area. Once I moved away & became vegan I was in anticipation to see how it would be to eat here and let me just say, I’m blown away!!! The drinks are excellent (as always) and the food was delicious! Lots of vegetarian options that can easily be made vegan. Staff was friendly and helpful and I really enjoy the recent addition of outdoor seats! Definitely come here for a great night! And dear El Sarape, I love you, please make your rice vegetarian/vegan friendly!! :)

Great food, solid drinks. Shoutout to Dana, best waitress we’ve had anywhere in a while.

Got take out. Save your coins. The chicken has no flavor, poor representation of Mexican cuisine.

Went here for the first time, and gotta say, will never come back. My girlfriend ordered the enchiladas verde which had absolutely zero flavor, and I got the fish tacos which also had no flavor, tasted like it cam from a can, and was smothered in lettuce...not a pinch of salt or any kind of spice. That wasn’t even the worst of it. After sending the food back, the owner came out and started defending his food. The a****le didn’t apologize or anything at all and was accusing us of not knowing what we were talking about. We felt pretty insulted and felt the least he could do was apologize for his trash food. The waitress however was SUPER friendly and completely understanding saying “she hates when this happens” so clearly not the first time. She was very polite and apologetic. This rating is not a reflection of her, but their food and owner. Never coming here again, Taco Bell puts them to shame. Owner should take a hike. SMH.

I have loved their mango chicken for many years, and was not dissapointed this time either. Did not enjoy the sangria unfortunately, but that was the only negative. Always pleasant service, always leave knowing I'll be returning