I'd call this the best restaurant in Bardstown. The food was moderately priced, very large, and served FAST! Our waiters were very attentive.
I am not a hugely picky mexican restaurant goer and sometimes attend places like chilis. The salsa was very thin and also mild, which I call an artistic choice. We could have spiced it up withone of 5 hot sauces offered, but I can't handle too much spice. Â We also ordered guacamole to go with our chips, which was convincingly not from a can (as opposed to the horrible stuff they serve at the chilis to go in the DTW airport). I hd shrimp, rice and beans (all great) and my husband had enchiladas (his plate was clean). We also enjoyed dessert.
We sat outside, but I thought the decor inside was very fun.
There are times in your life where something goes wrong when you go out to eat. It's inevitable. However, sometimes the issue is not such a big deal that you wouldn't go back. With El Jimador, this is NOT the case. I will NEVER return to this restaurant. When we got there it was pretty busy and we had to wait for a table, which was no big deal because it was a Friday night and we were waiting on one more person anyways. After we were seated we were still waiting on our third person. Our waiter came over after 15 minutes and took our drink order. We told him we were waiting on one more person. When he brought our drinks back he asked us where our third person was. We said he was on his way. At this point he looked at us and said, and I quote, "I don't have time for this!" .. Umm, huh? Did he just say what I thought he said? I understand it is a busy night, but us holding his table up would've been something I took into consideration when leaving the tip, as I have served before. After our third person had arrived and we ordered our food, it came out wrong and after one bite (which was spit back out), I was done. We tried to locate our server, and failed. After 25 minutes we decided walk up front and ask the cashier to speak to the manager. The cashier was too busy, I assume texting, on her cell phone to even acknowledge that I was standing there. When I said excuse me, she sarcastically replied, "WHAT!?" Oh I'm sorry, did I interrupt? Overall it was just a terrible experience, food and service wise. Next time I will take my money to Rincon Mexicano.
Review Source:Huh. How have I not reviewed El Jimador until now? I must be off my game. Or I'm simply bored off my gourd and am going through my old check-ins and checking off all those places that I haven't yet reviewed.
El Jimmie's is the popular Mexican restaurant to visit in Bardstown. There are others: El Camino Real and Rincon Mexicano are the other two so it's not like you couldn't fit in all three if you're going for el trifecta, but that's why you read these reviews, right?
El Camino Real and El Jimador are sister restaurants so the menus are basically identical. I've only been to Rincon Mexicano once before and it didn't strike me as particularly memorable but it's fairly solid as Mexican food goes and it's located in the touristy downtown area so it has that going for it. The food is pretty good to great at all three, the serving sizes running a little larger at the first two, the prices very reasonable throughout. So, why is "the Jim" the popular one?
Sheer size and atmosphere. Vibrant tropical colors and room enough to put several tables together, a staff that's willing to accommodate those big parties. They just need a regular mariachi band. There goes the one docked star (technically, it's 1-1/2 stars, mariachi bands are awesome, but I've been here enough to give them four.)
And another one done. Check.
El Jimmys is my favorite Mexican restaurant in Bardstown. The food there is good and affordable. The service is usually really quick and very friendly. The Vaca Bandida is a very simple dish but it is so delicious. Grilled beef, cheese sauce, refried beans, and tortillas hits the spot every time. The only reason this place doesn't get a fifth star is because there have been times when the service wasn't great or an order was messed up, but that is a rare occurrence.
Review Source:Man.... I am so sad to have been so disappointed by this place. Â :-(
Please take into account when reading my review that this was based on only one visit to El Jimador. Â
Here is the deal: Â I just moved here from California where the Mexican food was pretty darned AWESOME in my hometown. Â After work yesterday I realized how badly I'd been jonesin' for fresh tortilla chips, pico de gallo salsa and some quality Mexican food. Â The only thing remotely hitting that spot was the chips. Â The salsa was like semi-ketchupy-flavored & colored gush. Â Sometimes my respect for a Mexican eatery is defined by whether they have good pico de gallo or not... but I can't expect every place to serve up my favorite form of salsa, so I at least decide on the flavor of it. Some runny salsa is AMAZING and full of flavor. Â I was so famished by the time I got to El Jimador I downed the pooptastic salsa and chips anyway... and still had high hopes for my simple meal despite not digging it's precursor. Â
I ordered the spinach quesadilla. Â I was so excited for the fresh greens, mushrooms and tasty cheese. Â My co-worker had told me on our carpool ride back to town from Louisville that the cheese at El Jimador was really nummy... so, being a pregnant & often-starving woman, the desire for awesome Mexican food grew deeper! Â
But all my hopes for an amazing quesadilliary experience were dashed upon placing the first bite in my mouth! Â :-( Â
The cheese tasted totally artificial, the mushrooms were super slimy (like they had been canned before cooked), the spinach was previously frozen... ugh. Â I took two bites and gave up. Â
I hope that some of the other stuff on their menu is good. Â I mean, where in the hell in KY can I find some damned-good refried beans??
Guess I'll have to get my own butt in the kitchen, eh?
The service I received was BITCHIN', though! Â I was seated super fast and my waiter, despite being encumbered by a picky party of 35, took my order and served my food FAST. Â After eating there, though, I realize why my husband says he does NOT like Mexican food (he had told me it was because he'd always eaten at the local restaurants and their food was not yummy... I had hoped he was mistaken!).
I hope that you have a better time at El Jimador than I did. Â :-/
You want good Mexican food in Bardstown? then this is only place to get it! You are seated quickly, they bring out fresh salsa and crisps quickly. Their salsa is really good. It doesn't take long for them to take your order even when they are busy! The food always comes out quickly fresh and hot. I have never had a sour experience here, always enjoyable. Good service and great food!
Review Source:Excellent. Â (This review based on one visit.)
Good: Â Fast, friendly service; large portions; and a large menu selection.
Bad: Â Not an eye catching place when driving by. Â While true, this obviously is not a big issue. Â It's the only "bad" thing I could come up with.
The decor and atmosphere inside feels like that of a chain restaurant. Â It looked very nice with lots of vibrantly painted woodwork, included the very tables under my elbows. Â I describe the look at Mex-Tropical. Â From kids to grannies, anyone of any age should feel comfortable eating here.
The menu offered tons of choices which is good because it was easy for everyone in my party to find something we each liked. Â Our server came to the table four times before we had all decided!
The servings were huge! Â My partner and I tried a special (everything in it but the kitchen sink!) fajita for two for about 20 bucks. Â We were served with what we felt like was a fajita for FOUR! Â It tasted great and we enjoyed much of it the next day.
The next time I am in the Bardstown area again, I will most likely eat here again because there was other things on the menu I want to try.
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