el Nopal

First off, I want to say that I only created this account so that I could leave a review for this restaurant. I really wanted to like this place. I love Mexican food and was coming here for the first time with a friend. The idea was to have the buffet for lunch, but upon inspection, I decided against it.The food was dried up and watery and half of the buffet trays were empty when I got there more than an hour before lunch ended and they were never refilled. Some of the lights were out on the buffet, so the food looked even worse. My friend still decided to eat from the buffet and could barely get enough food on her plate because they refused to put out more food. There was no fruit on the buffet and other fresh ingredients were missing as well. When questioned about it, the server said that they weren't putting it out because lunch would soon be over. We mentioned to him that it was never out the whole time we were there and asked if a plate of fruit could be brought out. The server admitted that there wasn't any fruit in the restaurant that day.I ordered a t-bone from the menu. Big mistake. The "steak" was missing the t-bone and looked and tasted like a pork chop. The server insisted that the meat was beef, but admitted that it did look like a pork chop to him as well. The salsa was watery and lacked any flavor besides spice. The chips were thick and tasted almost bitter. We had to put tons of salt on them to make them edible, but the over fried chips made them hard to stomach.I am a foodie for life and I have never felt violated after eating a meal. I still don't know why I ate ityes I do, because I was starving! I spent eleven dollars and wanted my money back in the end. Avoid this place like a plague. I hate to say this, but this is one place where the outside matches what they offer on the inside. So run away!...

The establishment is not in the best condition, the service below sub par, and the beer was watery!!!

My husband and I dine at El Nopal at least once, but often twice, a week. The staff is so great we gave them Christmas gifts this past year. It truly has some great mexican food with large portions at reasonable prices. Their "made at the table" guacamole is excellent and I usually choose Diana's Special for dinner - shrimp & chicken smothered in rice and cheese dip - delicious! My husband hands down likes the chicken fajita quesadilla best. Margaritas are great and another good value. In the spring and summer they open up the walls on the covered patio and have live music. All that said don't come here if you want a fancy booth, good food presentation, matching decor or a fine restroom. The chairs nor the lighting fixtures match, food is served on whiteware, the bathroom needs updating and there are splits in the vinyl on the booth seats. However, if you are looking for a neighborhood place where people are smiling and catching up with one another over a good meal, this is the best!

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I love El Nopal. This location is my favorite. the food is always fast, hot and fresh. They are great with the service as well.

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A friend who lives in the area brought us to El Nopal on Cobb Parkway, and we're so glad she did. It's housed in an older building decorated with the standard bright paint, pinatas, and Mexican tchochkes. It doesn't look like anything special, but don't worry: all the care and attention goes to the food, just as it should. Nothing tastes canned or jarred, not even the table salsa. Our favorites are the Chile Colorado, a generous portion of steak in a dark, rich, thick red chile sauce; the shrimp cocktail, which is also very generous; and the chicken enchiladas.