Good Service!
This place is the prime example of welcoming all cultures. Just because your clientele and cuisine is focused on one culture doesnt mean you have to alienate others. And at this place I felt welcomed! Like I was visiting an El Salvadorian tourist trap (in a good way).
The food was delicious. The wait time was acceptable and the food came out hot, fresh and ready!
The waiter was courteous, communicated well and was very attentive.
My Mango Colada was a little bit sour but that only means they used fresh mangoes that were prolly a lil underripe (its not really mango season).
Love it!
I really enjoyed my lunch here the other day. Â I was passing through the area and looking for a casual place with good food to stop. Â I was not disappointed. Â Homemade chips and salsa came out right away. Â I then ordered the shrimp fajitas. Â The portion was generous, wonderful guacamole as well. Â The shrimp simmered on the hot plate and I was able to combine the many ingredients just as I like. The shrimp seemed to be sauteed in some sort of sherry sauce, which was subtle and not over-whelming, but very delicious. Â I would recommend this as a great find!
Review Source:Was invited here by friends... Ordered carne a la parrilla... To start we received chips and salsa... The chips didn't feel stale and the sauce was flavorful. I got my food and it was wonderful. Meat was tender,soft, and savory .. Rice was tasty and the beans were good. Overall a nice restaurant and pretty authentic..
Review Source:What a disappointment. Â Walking in the door, I immediately have to pause and make sure I am not in a daycare center. Â At 7:30 in the evening, I definitely did not expect to be assaulted by the sound of screaming children. Â But there they were, running around completely unchecked. Â Not a great start--but hey, a terrible atmosphere is worth dealing with for a great restaurant, right?
The meal starts with chips--thick, bland chips accompanied by tasteless and cold salsa. Â This stuff could have just been poured out of a Tostitos jar. Â We order the steak Salvadorian style and the pork chops. Â Both were overcooked, to the point where the chops were covered in char. Â There were good flavors there, but they were lost to a terrible preparation. Â
The prices are unjustifiably high.  The food is neither good enough or  in large enough quantities to justify $13 for a plate.  To top it all off, the service was inattentive--we weren't checked on once during our meal and had to wave someone down for the bill.
I was really hoping to find a latin food gem near home. Â Maybe there is one out there, but it isn't El Gavilan.
I have been here for lunch and dinner. Â Lunch was an amazing value. Â Me and my girlfriend feasted for 20 bux! Â I had the tortilla soup which comes with a taco and pico de gallo and guac. Â The guac could use a little work, but besides that it was perfect.
My girlfriend got the tacos, and although she ordered beef and got chicken, she didn't care and enjoyed it thoroughly (were pretty easy but we know good food). Good service.
We also got a couple of 2 dollar pupusas which were also yummy and came with the traditional slaw. Â The warm chips and house salsa that was on the table within minutes were a great start (no charge.)
We also got christmas day takeout and REALLY feasted for $35 bux. Â Chichurron was dangerously delicious. Â I had enough leftovers for dinner the next day.
Open late, and yes it can be very loud in there!
As I was wandering around the area looking at what options there were, I saw the smokestack above the kitchen in this place belch. Â Suddenly the outside was filled with smell of grilled steak.
If that didn't entice me to check it out nothing would.
Very much similar to El Golfo down the street, really nice service and a bit more varied menu. Â The place also has a stage off to the side where they sometimes will have live music, so check ahead of time for this if you are not expecting it.
Basic menu, carne asada, enchilladas, fajitas, and a real great corn tamale ecspecially. Â Sangria and basic margaritas but without real lime juice will be here served with honesty and sincerity.
Love this place - we were introduced by some of our El Salvadorian friends & we've now been eating there for well over a year! Â My faves are the pork/cheese papusas, and while I have enjoyed everything I have ordered, typically stick with fajitas. Â The servers do not speak or understand English that well, but they do a great job keeping tabs on your drinks, and if you need anything throughout your dining experience. Â
I'm in agreement with Phil D., the music, while great, is overwhelming to ANY level of conversation. Â That would be one area of suggestion from me - keep the music, just quieter.
I must say, El Gavilan is very consistent & authentic! Â Consistency is one of the things that I look for most in order for a restaurant to make it to my favorites list.
Wonderful grilled meats. Â You can smell how awesome it is going to be before you even go inside. Â Great deals on steak, rice, bean and salad (under $15). Â The lunch specials are great and cheap. You can order items a la carte for kids which is great. Â Their chile relleno is not as good as El Golfo, nor are their enchiladas, but who wants those anyway when the fajitas and steaks are so tasty. Â We love the live music on the weekends.
Review Source:Split the platter that had shrimp, ribs, and fajitas that was supposed to be for two for three of us and it was still enough for some leftovers. Â The chicken fajitas were really delicious, especially with guacamole. Â The pico de gallo was nothing special. Â Service was a bit slow, but not really a problem. Â Will definitely be back for the fajitas and to try the pupusas.
Review Source:Food is delicious and generously portioned. Â I have frequented this establishment for years and seem to always arrive during the karaoke hour (perhaps it is every evening?). Â Music is quite loud, so if you are looking for a romantic evening, this would not be the place for you.
I speak Spanish, so don't have trouble speaking to the waitstaff, but there is a definite seating segregation of the non-English and non-Spanish speakers. Â I was surprised the last time that I went that the food seemed pricier than it had been in the past - maybe the greater influx of "gringos" has something to do with it. Â Or perhaps it was the English menu that we were provided....
This place is great! Â I've been a fan for years! Â
The clientele has become more and more "gringo" over the last few years, but the food continues to be fresh and delicious. Â I'm a sucker for the platanos con crema y frijoles and the nachos el gavilan, but everything I've had here is good. Â I've always been able to eat my fill and then take some home for lunch the next day. Â The only downside is the live music; it tends to be overwhelming to any kind of normal conversation.
Huevos Rancheros...yum...Actually they're only on the lunch menu, the staff lets me order it whenever I want. Â The food here is very good and fresh; their chips and salsa are terrific, as are the plantains and beans. Â My boyfriend had a steak and thought it was pretty good. Â My friend (who is Salvadorena) loves the shrimp lunch special. The fajitas and seafood look really good, but I've never tried them. Â The margaritas are decent.
I usually order huevos rancheros or piece together a meal from the side dish section, so my meals are usually pretty cheap. Regular dishes are more in the $8-15 range. Â
On weekends they have a guy with a keyboard singing, which can be quite loud, but still fun. Â I've never had to wait for a table here, but it's always pretty busy and has been around for quite a while. Â Lots of neighborhood people come in for good food. The atmosphere isn't that great, but I prefer El Gavilan to Samantha's or El Golfo.
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