Man I hate to do this b/c I wanted to be a fan but Im just not.
Good ritas. Average food and terrible guacamole. The guac was on par w/ Joe
Ts in FTW. Mushy and no flavor.
Also, the older guy w/ glasses at the bar. I think his name tag said Mundo was inattentive. He seemed to cop an attitude when we didn't upgrade to his top shelf margarita nonsense. The rest of the night was a struggle to get his attention. He would walk by several times w/o making eye conatct when we needed something or to place an order. The other guys were fine.
I'll come back one more time hoping the food is better.
A good friend of mine has always loved this place and told me I had to check it out. Â My first impression -- I liked what I saw. Â I went on a Saturday afternoon, around 4, so it wasn't crowded yet. Â Had an easy time with parking. Â The outdoor patio was great, misting fans for the hellacious Texas summer heat. Â We sat outside and completely enjoyed ourselves. Â
When I got there, my very sweet friend, had already ordered me a margarita.  I almost always have my margaritas on the rocks, but he told me I had to have a frozen one while at Esparza's.  He was right, they were excellent and definitely  were not skimpy with the alcohol. Â
We had the famed Queso Flameado, it was delicious and enough to share with another person, for sure.
Go here strictly to meet up with friends and have margaritas on the patio! Â Be forewarned - the margaritas are POTENT! Â I actually can't even drink them anymore and have to opt for a beer when hanging out with my friends. Â Fun atmosphere on the patio; service is spotty and this is STRICTLY a place to meet for drinks; go eat somewhere else. Â The only halfway decent thing there is the queso - might need to soak up some of that tequila!
Review Source:The best margaritas in town!!!!!
come for happy hour, $5 each glass. You don't need much because they are STRONG!!!!
I had puff tacos to eat...it was just okay. I love their queso flameado though. That is good enough to share in my opinion. It comes with melted cheese over fajitas chicken and beef meat. DELICIOUS!!!! best eaten while the cheese is gooey melted hot goodness!!!
this place is located behind the shopping strip near the houses. I didn't know so ditzy me walked up and down the strip looking for it hehehe
As out-of-towners visiting Grapevine Texas we were told Esparza's is a  great place for Mexican food. Staff was very friendly and attentive and the texmex food was pretty good.
The place was busy and appeared to be very popular in the grapevine area. The restrooms were clean too.
Ultimately though, I am still on the hunt for true authentic Mexican food.
Unique atmosphere!
Great patio outside, unfortunately it was too cold for us when we visited. But the service was great and the menu offered a wide variety of options. Couldn't pass up the "Famous Margarita" and it did not disappoint.
There were groups of all sizes and occasion, the service was perfect and the price was right.... I will be recommending Esparza's to any future Grapevine visitors!
Dont plan on returning there. Â We went on a Sunday afternoon with great weather and sat on the Patio. Â Staff came out and moved chairs, but totally ignored us. Â I finally went inside and was told they dont serve food on the patio. Â WHAT?? Â I had to order Only chips and salsa and take it outside myself. Â Remember, it was a beautiful day. Â They lost our business.
Review Source:Slow service and flavorless fajitas served with chewy tortillas. We were brought stale, broken, "bottom of the bag" chips and salsa. Our server (I think maybe he was actually a busboy) didn't really speak English resulting in incorrect orders for most of the table and people being charged for things they didn't order. 15$ for chicken fajitas that comes with a *tiny* bit of rice and beans (like maybe a spoonful of each) and no sour cream and a small portion of dry unseasoned chicken is a bit silly.
Review Source:OK. Lets  get this straight. I see all these reviews bitching about the  food and service at Esparza's.. Gimme a break. This place has been a landmark in downtown GV for over 25 years and has NEVER had the best food or service.... Its like, what kind of jackass goes to Hooters and complains about their food? Do you really go there for that?... same thing with Esparza's.
I've been going to this joint since 1985 and I've seen a few "upgrades" in the decor over that time, but not much else. And the incompetent turds who did the last upgrade there about 5-6 years ago left the place with rotten acoustics, Â a more stark environment, as well as screwing up the nice bar that they had.
Most people go to Esparza's for the festive atmosphere, the  weekend partying or the good and potent  margaritas... If you're going there for a culinary experience, you're at the wrong place my brother... Hacienda Ranch, Esperanza's in Ft Worth, Javier's or Monica's in Dallas or a host of other Mex joints in the area have this place trumped as far as food goes... but we all have to have our priorities.... "Uh Senor, another frozen margarita por favor!"
Esparza's is a happening place on Saturday night! My sister and I enjoyed one of their famous (and potent) margaritas while we waited 30 minutes for a table. The food was good but the portions were ridiculously huge. Queso was runny, but the chips and drinks were refilled promptly. The atmosphere was loud and chaotic, but the service was great despite how busy they were! I might return but on a different day when it's not so crowded.
Review Source:I have a love/hate relationship with this place. Â I LOVE their margaritas...they are really good and pack a punch, however the food is the most horrific, bland, chintzy Tex-Mex/Mexican EVER! Â How can you mess up a cheese enchilada?! Â I've ordered them three times now (three strikes you're out rule). Â All three times they are just hollow tortilla tubes. Â If there is even one teaspoon worth of cheese in them I'd be surprised. Â The refried beans and rice are so bland. Â Go there for the margaritas, but skip the food.
Review Source:EEEKKKK I started this back in March and am just now getting to posting it. Sorry Esparza's! We sat at the bar and although they were busy, service did not lack. The food was amazing and they have good chips and hot sauce. Mundo was our bartender/server for the evening and he was awesome. He was very attentive and is a true asset to their team! I wish this place was closer because we would frequent it! We will definitely make another trip to Grapevine to return to this place!
Review Source:I randomly came here the other night with friends and had some of the best Mexican food I've experienced in a while. Â We started out with the guacamole appetizer to go with our chips, and it was a hit. Â My friend ordered the tortilla soup with a fried stuffed avocado, and she loved it. Â The fried avocado with beef was surprisingly good.
I ordered the Sonora Dinner. Â It came with a chicken enchilada (I told them to hold the sour cream sauce) and a cheese enchilada topped with chili con carne. Â The enchiladas were impeccable. Â The dish also came with rice and beans. Â I am not a big fan of refried beans, but these beans were amazing. Â
I am never in this part of town; however, I'd definitely make a trip over here just to eat at Esparza's again.
I think this place gets by on it's old reputation of having extra strong rita's with a good price and great fajita's. Â Alas the ship has sailed on both of those. Â It's batch made drinks priced about a buck more than it should be with food that's just adequately bland for the non-discerning clinetel. Â It's usually packed so add that to list of underwhelming qualities and I'll take off to one of the other 5 Mexican restaurants within spitting distance.
Review Source:I've been to this place about 4 times now, but the last time was a few years ago. I'll dispense with the details behind my most recent visit, to get right to the bland experience that I had.
1) My server was the highlight of my experience and she was just a little above average as service goes.
2) I was there at about 4:30 on a Sunday, not real busy, plenty of places to sit. I'm a solo business traveler and expect places to understand how to seat such a person. I was seated in a side room as the only other person with a table of about 10 Girls-Night-Outters. Â Yeee haw. Â I don't take anything away from this interesting seemingly newly popular ritual, but why would I be seated here? Â *They* were having fun...
3) The tortilla soup was ok, but bland. Â I don't think there was any discernible spice in the soup.
4) My Enchiladas Verdes was equally bland. Â I scrounged the plate to find traces of the Verdes sauce. Â Folks, it's in the name. Â How about a little on the plate? Â The rice and beads, ahhh, again, bland. Â They were just tasteless mostly.
5) The chips were good. Â They were light and mostly crispy. Â The salsa was the spiciest thing on the table. Â It wasn't bad.
I'll never go back. Â I wish I'd have hit something else along Main St.
Walking into this restaurant, I didn't expect very much.
This place is LOUD. When the waitress asked where we wanted to sit, I nodded my head, and we were seated in the smoking section. I don't blame anyone but myself- but coming from Houston, I was used to places that no longer allow smoking inside (second hand smoke through central air?).
I had the Chicken Enchilada Verdes, and it was delicious. Granted, I had to ask to make it extra spicy, but it was much better than expected. Maybe I am a bit biased since I had low expectations, but if I'm ever in Grapevine again, I wouldn't mind going back.
If the only Mexicans in the restaurant are the workers...might not be the best or most authentic food. This place is Taco Cabana w slightly better meat quality. It's tucked away off main street and should stay so.
Food came out cold, meat portions were crap for the price. As a plus they give you a ton of rice n beans. Meltdown margarita was good. Excellent cougar scene at the bar if thats tour cup of tea. I am so disgusted I can't process a good clever closing statement.
Very good mexican food. Stout margaritias, service very timely. Food portions are generous for kids and main entrees. All meals I witnessed were served piping hot and any sides were freshly prepared e.g. guacamole, tomoatoes, lettuce, shredded cheese. Very friendly staff with humor.
This was my second visit here, I will be visiting again. Nice house style atmosphere, quaint but packed. Cudos in my book.
Forgot this place was here. Good, authertic old school Mexican food. Nothing fancy. Just good food, a good atmosphere. Lots of noise, lots of people and energy. Prices are very reasonable and service is friendly and quick.
Only knock is guacamole. Small portion for the price. Fajitas were excellent and portion was large. The house made flour tortillas are fantastic.
Nice patio. Big bar. Good neighborhood place.
Great place to hang out on the patio and grab drinks!
I didn't really understand the "no food on the patio except for chips and salsa" rule (although I did appreciate the complimentary chips and salsa!!).
A guy named Fluffy helped us track down said chips and salsa inside, we grabbed a few drinks, and enjoyed the beautiful weather while hanging out!
Definitely a great area, although I'm kind of glad we didn't try the food after reading the reviews on Yelp!
The food was awesome when I came here a year ago, but this time was a different story. Â
The service was horrible. Â Our waitress was not very friendly at all, didn't tend to our table's drinks or salsa at all before the food came out, and was no where to be found when we needed something.
The food also left something to be desired. Â A lot of the food was bland and didn't have much flavor at all. Â Several dishes were cold like they had just been sitting on the counter until the other food was ready. Â Although I understand that can happen occasionally, timing is important if you're going to bring the whole meal out at the same time. Â Otherwise, just bring the food out as it's ready.
I attempted to sincerely express my thoughts and experience with the manager, which usually determines if I'll be back to give it another chance or refrain from giving a negative review, but the manager didn't care at all and brushed me off. Disappointing.
I will preface this review by saying I will write the reivew from my vantage point and my best friend Chris's  vantage point as well. Â
Me: Â My best friend Chris says this is the best mexican food in Texas. Â He eats here every Friday and he invited me and the wife out one night and we accepted.
Chris: Â Esparza's is the best mexican restaurant in Texas!
Me: Â We get there and it's an old looking house and the most difficult parking ever. Â There is a lane to the back of the restaurant that has enough space for one car. Â So if you're pulling in and someone needs to pull out, someone is backing up...
Chris: Â We live two blocks away....we walk here. Â Parking is fine.
Me: Â Wow....10 minutes standing here and no one has greeted us to seat us.
Chris: Â Lets drink while we wait. Â The margarita's are the best in Texas!!
Me: Â Hmm....Lime flavored water Margarita's. Â I think I 'll follow this crap up with a coke. Â I might get a quicker buzz.
Chris: Â Dude!!! Â I've drank half this margarita and I'm already buzzed.
Me: If we don't get sat in the next 5 mins....I'm out.
Chris: I'll go track down someone.
Me: Â Wow....this table is cozy, there is basically room for our drinks. Â Where is the room for the food and salsa/chips gonna come from.
Chris: Lets worry about that later.
Me: Rolls Eyes.....
Chris: Â oooohhhh.....Salsa and Chips!
Me: Â This is damn good Salsa and Chips.
Chris: Â Some chicken Ratones for an appetizer please...
(Ratones arrive 10 minutes later)
Me: Â Umm....they are still cold on the inside.
(Ratones are returned-everyone has lost their appetite)
Chris: Â Well---usually it's good.
Me: Â Yeah, I will keep that in mind when I'm puking later....
HORRIBLE PLACE!!
It's "OK" TexMex, but super, super strong 'ritas. OMG! I'm a drinker but I have to watch out for Esparza's 'ritas. Esparza's is more of a 'cantina' than a 'cocina.' So go for the drinks and eat something - anything really, because it doesn't really matter when their TexMex is "Meh" at best. Ergo, if you are into chimichangas more so than 'ritas, skip Esparza's, stay in Grapevine and go to Uncle Julio's. Â
There's a small parking lot in the back, some spots on the street, but most residential streets are zoned for 'Resident Only' parking. I most recently went with a group of 20 something and the service was impressive considering the size of the group. It's a total Cougar hang-out, too, so there's some nice eye candy for the 30+ and 40+.
I've been coming to Esparza's for a good 17 years or so. Was also a regular at Esparza's II when it was up and going. Was there when it was still just a house and you shoveled your own chips and dipped your own salsa. Have always loved it!
I went there last night and was surprised to see that it has turned into a Wal-Mart-version of its former self and is about 12 times louder than Julio's!
Parking is horrific. They do have a back parking lot that reminds me of Phil Hartman's "Admiral Stockdale" yelling out "Gridlock! Who am I? Why am I here??"
After about 15 minutes of getting SCREWED and having about 5 parking spots stolen from me by the other vultures looking for a spot, I finally drove two blocks away and parked at a church and walked. My car was not towed, luckily.
Once you're there? In my opinion, great!! The margs have always been famous--reputed to have Everclear in them, at least in the past--they still do the trick. At $7 each last night, they're still slightly cheaper than Uncle Julio's (which I also champion). We got a pitcher next and it was $36. Holy S!! But we got a lotta drinkin' out of it, too!
Queso Flameado is what I always get. Man, it is the BEST, Jerry, the BEST!! So good, although no option for corn tortillas. I guess we could have asked, but didn't.
Chips & Salsa is great. They have these little fried tacos as appetizers that were pretty great as well. So, I dig the Tex-Mex here.
The joint is packed tight with white people. Except for the folks who work there. Lots of douches were around last night, which was fun to watch. One dude had the Don Johnson look going--blue pastel shirt w/white sport jacket sleeves shoved up to elbows. Nice!
It is a drive from Big D, but occasionally worth it. My coworker and I were stressed out from a hard, hellish week and those margaritas were calling, so we went.
Overall, yes. Give it a try.
PS They've got a great patio out front, but its packed always.
Seriously, what is my problem? I know without a doubt that I can't stand Tex-Mex and yet I go to yet another Tex-Mex restaurant hoping that perhaps this time will be different. Perhaps this time I won't be let down by the lack of real enchilada sauce on my enchilada. I mean, it's called enchilada sauce for a reason, right? What is this sour cream sauce, and this queso sauce crap?
In any case, I once again found myself out on a Friday eating with coworkers and since my husband swears by Esparzas, I thought I would give them a shot.
While I admit the food was okay, it was pretty much due to me doctoring up my order. No onions in my cheese enchilada and don't you dare put chile con carne on the top. "A different sauce?" the waiter asks me. Umm, yes please. Do you have, ummm... red sauce? (If I would have said enchilada sauce I'm sure I would have been asked what the hell is that so I dumbed it down to red sauce.) And on my chicken enchilada, no queso sauce please. I also asked for a side of cheese to dump on my beans.
So, the moral of the story is that Esparza's is ok, if you know how you want to order your food, or if you're not at work and can order yourself a couple margaritas in which case, all the food will taste good. Honestly, it was decent and I enjoyed the chips and salsa, and the beans too. Sometimes you can't ask for much more than that.
I hate gourmet Mexican food. Â That being said, I LOVE this place! Â 5 reasons for 5 stars:
1. Â Perfectly spicy salsa. Â Delightfully hot, but not "run around the room" hot. Â And you get your own cup! Â Yay!
2. Â The Esparzita. Â I took another reviewer's advice and upgraded to anejo tequila. Â Delicious and still worth it even though they seem to have raised the price to $9.
3. Â Smoky cheese. Â Yum! Â Especially when your meal is smothered in it.
4. Â Cute atmosphere. Â Not very "Mexican" but still cute and inviting.
5. Â The outdoor patio. Â Too cold for me to enjoy now, but I know it would be dangerous to hang out there on a nice day.
So all in all, not healthy, but awesome! Â Yep, I'm a chubby happy girl!
How did I forget to write about my beloved Esparza's? Props to Maggie P for reminding me about one of my favorite places in the metro-plex. Yes. It's THAT good. The food? Bueno. The Esparzaritas? MUY FREAKIN' BUENO!
If you don't like strong margaritas then I suggest you ... well I dunno start liking them? Yeah. If you do like strong margaritas, I suggest you pull up a silla to my mesa favorita and hold the eff on. You might fall out of your chair. I'm not kidding. I've done it here.
I can't count the number of times I have frequented this place. My best gals used to live up the road, and I lived pretty close myself for a wee bit. They redid the back of the restaurant so it's a great spot to crunch down on chips and salsa while watching your favorite sports play on TV. Sit at the bar con sus amigas mejores and get ready for a good time. My girls and I made the mistake of ordering a pitcher of these bad boys after already having one or two. I don't want to go into specifics, but Kristen ended up calling us a cab, and I ended up speaking Spanglish to the staff who watched on in amazement while Diddy made friends with a tree outside. It was an ugly/awesome/hilarious/stupid good time.
We may have over done it that one evening ... or two. (Hey we hadn't seen each other in a really long time!)
If you want to be in the eye of the storm, grab a seat outside on the front patio where all the action takes place.It's a huge hang out for stewards, stewardesses, and pilots who are just in town for the night. The crowd is a bit older (older not being old, just not college age, though we were there so...)
Happy Hour is a party and starts at 11am!! and goes until 7pm Monday-Friday. Margs, swirls, and well drinks are $4. Beer Specials include 16 oz. Miller Light and Bud Light drafts for $2.50 and $3.75 for 23 oz. Grab a 16oz. Shiner Bock for $2.75, or man up and get a big one and $4.00. The Esparzaritas are a bit more, but DO IT.
You need to eat. Trust me on this. Order the chicken fajita nachos. Hands down they are the best nachos in DFDub. Ask for a side of jalapenos.
This place is awesometown. Booyah.
People, People, People - Esparza's is not a place you go for fine Tex-Mex food, it is a place you go for small town mom-n-pop atmosphere with AWESOME Margs!!!! Â A few friends, a few Margs, a few chips with salsa and you'll witness the volume going to 11 with story after story of your glory days gone by. Â The big oak out front, the warm wind, and a few 747's to and fro from DFW makes you wonder why anyone would go to the box chain (or spend time reviewing one). Â After two Margs you need any food, even their 2 star enchiladas or go for the 4 star fajitas (who doesn't make a 4 star fajita plate....oh, Chili's, Mexican Inn, Applebee's, Humperdink's, Bennigan's, etc).
Margs, Margs, Margs - good enough to make Austinites make Esparza's an honorary spot on their places that are cool enough to be in Austin even though they are not.
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