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Delia Martin is the woman who started it all. She’s been delighting us with authentic Mexican cuisine, including her family’s original Puffy Taco, for decades. Our menu is full of original recipes from Delia’s parents, Rosalio and Consuelo Rendon. In 1971, Delia and her husband George (Marty) Martin, took over the first 8-tabled restaurant in Fraser, Michigan. It wasn’t long before the demand for the Puffy Taco forced El Charro to expand, and then relocate from that tiny restaurant, to our current location on 14 Mile Road, where we tripled in size. Now, here we are – three restaurants and millions of Puffy Tacos later!
Easygoing Mexican restaurant featuring signature soft-shell tacos, plus sangria & margaritas.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 16720 E 14 Mile Rd, Fraser, MI 48026
Phone: (586) 294-3520
Website: https://elcharrousa.com/fraser/
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El Charro – Home of the Puffy Taco!
YOUR NEXT MEAL IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK. Choose your location to view menu and order for pickup. Fraser. Fraser · Macomb. Macomb · St. Clair Shores. St. Clair …
El Charro | Fraser MI – Facebook
Starting fresh this year? We’ve got lighter options that still feel satisfying — grilled chicken, salads, vegetarian swaps, and plenty of fresh add-ons.
Fraser – El Charro
16720 14 Mile Rd. Fraser, MI. 48026. (586) 294-3520. [email protected] … © El Charro 2025. All rights reserved. Designed by Midnite Oil.
Reviews
Alex K (CptnMangol)
The “Salsa and Soul” Report: A Night at El Charro
You know, they say the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, and if that’s the case, El Charro is basically the cardiologist of the Midwest. After a long day of shredding riffs at the music store, we followed a local’s advice and landed right here.
The First Impression
The minute you walk in, you’re greeted with a smile that’s brighter than a stadium floodlight. And the lobby? It’s spacious enough that you aren’t going to be stuck shivering outside like a spare goalie in the snow. Now, I gotta be honest—the place was still decked out in its Christmas best. Either they’re incredibly proactive about next year, or they just believe that “peace on earth” is a year-round vibe. Either way, with that giant fireplace roaring away, it felt as cozy as a championship locker room after a big win.
The Grub
I went with the chicken chimichangas, and let me tell you, they were delightful. My friends gave the whole spread a double-thumbs-up, too. The only real “complaint” I could muster is that the portions are massive. It’s like being a manager with a bench full of talent—you just can’t find the space to use it all, and you hate to see that good food go to waste.
The Atmosphere
The dining room is laid out with enough space that you don’t feel like you’re sharing your salsa with the table next door. And the music? It’s just right—there for ambiance, but never getting in the way of a good conversation. You know, like a good defensive midfielder who does their job perfectly without needing to hog the spotlight.
The Final Whistle
The staff here is sharp, friendly, and they know their way around a menu better than I know my way around a box of shortbread. If you’re looking for a spot that feeds your belly and leaves your soul feeling a little bit warmer, get yourself to El Charro. It’s a clean sheet of a dining experience, from start to finish.
Final Score: 5 out of 5 sombreros.
… moreYou know, they say the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, and if that’s the case, El Charro is basically the cardiologist of the Midwest. After a long day of shredding riffs at the music store, we followed a local’s advice and landed right here.
The First Impression
The minute you walk in, you’re greeted with a smile that’s brighter than a stadium floodlight. And the lobby? It’s spacious enough that you aren’t going to be stuck shivering outside like a spare goalie in the snow. Now, I gotta be honest—the place was still decked out in its Christmas best. Either they’re incredibly proactive about next year, or they just believe that “peace on earth” is a year-round vibe. Either way, with that giant fireplace roaring away, it felt as cozy as a championship locker room after a big win.
The Grub
I went with the chicken chimichangas, and let me tell you, they were delightful. My friends gave the whole spread a double-thumbs-up, too. The only real “complaint” I could muster is that the portions are massive. It’s like being a manager with a bench full of talent—you just can’t find the space to use it all, and you hate to see that good food go to waste.
The Atmosphere
The dining room is laid out with enough space that you don’t feel like you’re sharing your salsa with the table next door. And the music? It’s just right—there for ambiance, but never getting in the way of a good conversation. You know, like a good defensive midfielder who does their job perfectly without needing to hog the spotlight.
The Final Whistle
The staff here is sharp, friendly, and they know their way around a menu better than I know my way around a box of shortbread. If you’re looking for a spot that feeds your belly and leaves your soul feeling a little bit warmer, get yourself to El Charro. It’s a clean sheet of a dining experience, from start to finish.
Final Score: 5 out of 5 sombreros.
Lisa Bates
I consider myself a lifer when it comes to this place. I have been eating here since it was a tiny little restaurant by the Fraser post office. I think I have had most things on the menu at least twice, however my go to’s are puffy tacos and most favorable are the enchiladas. Now with that being said when it comes to the enchiladas it’s the “old world sauce” and cheese on top that kept me ordering them regardless of the filling. I went last night for my birthday and I went about two weeks ago for lunch. And you guessed it, I ordered the enchiladas. But something was very different two weeks ago and last night, the “old world sauce” tasted off. Did I forget to mention that I always always get extra sauce and cheese. So I know that not only did it look more like a RED sauce it had somewhat of a gritty texture as well. Like what ever powdered seasoning they used didn’t cook in. So disappointing. I Love the atmosphere, I Love the great service, I definitely Love the food, but whatever is happening with the enchilada sauce needs to go back to the original recipe. PLEASE
As I said, I consider myself a lifer. I really can’t think about finding a new place as my favorite.
… moreAs I said, I consider myself a lifer. I really can’t think about finding a new place as my favorite.
Tony Tzianis
Place is nice and servers are nice but the food was horrible. Ive never been somewhere with food so flavorless. Ate it anyways which I should’ve just sent it back and left because now it’s 1am and my stomach is killing me. Very upset with this experience. Would’ve been better off blending a taco bell bean burrito up with a gallon of water than going here. At least it would’ve tasted like something and the stomach pain would’ve been expected.
… moreMark Thomas
2nd stop here but didn’t review before.
A big space cleverly divided to make it feel more intimate. Music playing is all Spanish and the appropriate volume, in the background.
But if feels not authentic, a veneer or theme over everything. (Like Outback isn’t really Australian) The decor is themed but ultimately feels like just decorations. Style by committee.
The service is quick, professional, but feels like they are just doing the job, nothing extra. Nothing bad, either.
The chunky salsa is flavorful, fresh tasting, with a little kick.
Enchiladas were good. Moist, tender, but somewhat lacking in flavor.
Maybe I’ve eaten in Mexicantown too many times but, in my opinion, it’s as authentic as Chili’s. A place for consistently solid food, efficient service & decent prices.
But it’s just not my wheelhouse, not my first choice. Sorry.
… moreA big space cleverly divided to make it feel more intimate. Music playing is all Spanish and the appropriate volume, in the background.
But if feels not authentic, a veneer or theme over everything. (Like Outback isn’t really Australian) The decor is themed but ultimately feels like just decorations. Style by committee.
The service is quick, professional, but feels like they are just doing the job, nothing extra. Nothing bad, either.
The chunky salsa is flavorful, fresh tasting, with a little kick.
Enchiladas were good. Moist, tender, but somewhat lacking in flavor.
Maybe I’ve eaten in Mexicantown too many times but, in my opinion, it’s as authentic as Chili’s. A place for consistently solid food, efficient service & decent prices.
But it’s just not my wheelhouse, not my first choice. Sorry.
Heather Dwyer-Adams
The restaurant was decorated beautifully for the holidays. Service was fine, but I don’t think the food is as good as it used to be. I didn’t really like the chips and salsa. The chips seemed almost stale to me. The refried beans however, were quite good. I don’t recommend the seafood stuffed chilies. It just a chunk of imitation crab stuffed in a pepper. It was very bland. A few others at my table thought there dishes weren’t as good as they used to be as well. Maybe it was just an off day. We’ll give it another try sometime.
… moreHannah Minch
We recently threw a surprise party at this location and everything was fantastic!!! Food was served buffet style with a few different options, the waitresses were extremely attentive and no one was ever waiting on a drink. After everyone was done eating, the waitresses boxed up all the leftovers and even took the cake to the kitchen to cut and plate up for us. Absolutely wonderful experience!
… moreJudy W
Amazing as always and every time I’ve been there the servers were exemplary! The food is so good. My daughter was so happy that they have a gluten-free menu! She didn’t have to guess or assume.
… moreOlivia Knopek
I had a very disappointing experience with a recent takeout order from El Charro. When I went in to pick up my food and pay, the host assisting me looked over at another host in a way that made it very obvious I had not left a tip, which made me feel uncomfortable. I was then told that everything was included in the bag.
When I got home, I realized that was not the case. I was missing my chips and salsa, and several items were not included as promised. This was especially frustrating because there were at least six or seven hosts standing around on their phones at the time, and I had specifically asked if everything was in the bag.
On top of that, the food quality was disappointing. My tacos had very little meat and minimal toppings, and the puffy taco shells were not cooked properly—they were soggy and seemed raw rather than crisp.
Overall, between the uncomfortable interaction, missing items, and poor food quality, this experience fell well below expectations.
… moreWhen I got home, I realized that was not the case. I was missing my chips and salsa, and several items were not included as promised. This was especially frustrating because there were at least six or seven hosts standing around on their phones at the time, and I had specifically asked if everything was in the bag.
On top of that, the food quality was disappointing. My tacos had very little meat and minimal toppings, and the puffy taco shells were not cooked properly—they were soggy and seemed raw rather than crisp.
Overall, between the uncomfortable interaction, missing items, and poor food quality, this experience fell well below expectations.
Pam
If you are looking for REAL Mexican food this is definitely not the place to go. This is basically pricier Taco Bell with servers.
The salsa was flavorless, the chips were cold, the puffy tacos are salty and everything else was just O.K.. That really basically sums it up.
That said, service was good and the restaurant itself was clean.
… moreThe salsa was flavorless, the chips were cold, the puffy tacos are salty and everything else was just O.K.. That really basically sums it up.
That said, service was good and the restaurant itself was clean.
Jolene DuBay
Amber H was a fantastic server. She was quick, efficient, and polite. We were on a time crunch but didn’t even need to say it. She was prompt about greeting us, and our drinks and food were delivered very quickly. We were here around 6:30 to 7:15 on a Thursday evening. The Botana is great. It’s an appetizer, but I ordered it as my meal, and you can’t find it at every Mexican restaurant. We also had chicken nuggets off the kids’ menu (served with ranch and ketchup) and fajitas.
… more