El Topo Cantina

  4.1 – 429 reviews   • Mexican restaurant

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✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out El Topo Cantina 59911

Hours

Monday4:30–8 PM
Tuesday4:30–8 PM
Wednesday4:30–8 PM
Thursday4:30–8 PM
Friday4:30–8 PM
Saturday4:30–8 PM
SundayClosed

Address and Contact Information

Address: 7987 Montana Hwy 35, Bigfork, MT 59911

Phone: (406) 837-2114

Website: https://www.facebook.com/El-Topo-Cantina-59616942349/

Menu Photos

eltopocantina.com

Photo Gallery

Related Web Results

El Topo Cantina: Landing

El Topo Cantina. Open 4:30pm to 9:00pm. 7987 Mt Highway 35 – Bigfork, MT 59911. 406-837-2114 … Our current menu is displayed in 3 slides below.

El Topo Cantina | Bigfork MT – Facebook

El Topo Cantina, Bigfork. 1.290 Me gusta · 53 personas están hablando de esto · 1.267 personas estuvieron aquí. We’re a full service Mexican food…

El Topo Cantina | Bigfork MT – Facebook

We’re a full service Mexican food restaurant and bar using the freshest ingredients to make our own salsas and sauces to enrich each meal we make.

Reviews

Jack
If I could give this place negative stars, I would. This is hands-down one of the most pathetic excuses for a restaurant I’ve ever stepped foot in. The food is so bland it feels like it was cooked by someone who’s only heard rumors about seasoning. Salt? Pepper? Flavor? Never met them….

The owner is a walking ego with absolutely nothing to back it up. Watching them “defend the menu” is hilarious considering the menu itself is hot garbage. You don’t defend mediocrity—you fix it. Or at least you would if you knew what you were doing. Spoiler: you don’t.

The food tastes like it was cooked yesterday, forgotten about, reheated today, and then served with confidence. Reheated chicken shouldn’t be this offensive, yet somehow they managed it. Truly impressive in the worst possible way.

The staff looks as lost as the flavor—zero urgency, zero competence, zero shame. It’s like everyone collectively agreed that effort wasn’t part of the job description. The drinks are an absolute joke too. Weak, poorly made, and a complete waste of money—just like the rest of the experience.

This place isn’t just bad—it’s delusional. A business built on arrogance, laziness, and the false belief that people won’t notice when you serve trash. This is a joke to food, a joke to culture, and honestly a joke to anyone who’s ever eaten a decent meal.

Save your money. Save your time. Save your taste buds. This place deserves to be empty.

Update: To The Owner.

Well, well.

You’re absolutely right about one thing — I do give a lot of 5-star reviews. I enjoy recognizing businesses that deliver great food, service, and value. That’s actually the point. I don’t go out of my way to leave negative feedback unless the experience truly warrants it.

So instead of taking my review as a “scorched earth attack,” maybe consider it what it is: feedback from a paying customer who expected better.

When someone spends a decent amount of money at an establishment, the expectation is simple — quality. Not excuses. Not defensiveness. Not personal attacks from ownership.

What’s genuinely surprising isn’t your attempt to discredit me. It’s the tone of your response. For someone who hosts and runs a hospitality business, the hostility is telling. If this is how criticism is handled publicly, it says far more than my review ever could.

You mentioned I offered nothing constructive. Respectfully, the review itself outlined the issues. It’s not my job to redesign your menu or train your staff. It is my right to share my experience.

If most of my reviews are 5 stars, that should tell you I’m not impossible to please. It simply means this experience fell short.

Take it as an opportunity, or don’t. That part is up to you.

I won’t be returning — but I genuinely hope future customers get the experience I expected when I walked in.

All the best.
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Kelsea Pelletier
Service was great. Atmosphere was great. Food was bland. Mahi taco was just ok. Mexican slaw tasted more like an Asian slaw and I’m pretty sure had soy sauce in it which seemed strange. Husband’s food was bland too and we’re pretty sure his meat was sautéed in soy sauce too…not generally an ingredient used in Mexican food. Don’t think we’ll be going back. I remember going here years ago and having a delicious meal so I don’t know what’s happened here since then. Also I’m scared to simply leave an honest review after reading some of the responses from the owners. Honestly that’s a big reason why I won’t be returning as well.
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Lana G
We ate here a couple years ago and it was horrible, but our party wanted to try it tonight, so we gave it another shot.

Six people were seated at a small table right in the walkway out from the kitchen. Other tables were empty, but the waitress acted like she couldn’t touch any of the tables. We were there at 6pm, so it wasn’t closing.

Our margaritas were served in smaller water glasses and we were charged $12 for them. Someone in our party ordered the ribs and they were served dry and looked like they had been sitting around all day. The beans and oriental tasting coleslaw served with them were questionable.
The red enchilada sauce was thicker and looked reheated after sitting out, and the enchilada itself was slimy.
Overall we all agreed that our food was bland and definitely not fresh.
Our bill was over $200. Definitely not worth it and we will not be back.
The place needs better customer service and actual cooks.
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Michelle Bell
The food at El Topo Cantina is always fresh and beautifully presented. If you like a little extra spice try their homemade hot sauce or maybe jalapenos. I like to pair my dinner with a Clooney margarita… perfect.
The staff all work well together and are happy to please their customers. It’s a nice feeling when the servers remember what you like for a beverage and food preference.
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Lynn Katzoff
How lucky are we to have El Topo in the Flathead Valley, the best Mexican Restaurant in Montana, and I have tried them all.
The cantina is the most fun and friendly Cheers Bar where the locals all know each other and embrace the tourists who wander in looking for flavor and fun.
The tortillas chips are the best, always fresh, salted just right, and my favorite entree is the enchiladas, just cheesy melting goodness complimented by the Margaritas which are just plain fabulous!
Lindi (the owner) is witty, entertaining and caring along with her staff who are like family that have been there for years.
All too often we do not take the time to appreciate the goodness around us and El Topo deserves appreciation…….
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Tara Allen
I’ve been coming here for over 20 years. I love the shrimp quesadillas smothered, the chili verde with shrimp, the fish tacos, the guacamole and fresh chips and salsa. The restaurant is always so cheery and clean, it just makes me happy every time I walk in. Thank you El Topo for being such a bright spot in Bigfork for tasty food and refreshing cocktails!
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Winter Weston
Update: After seeing The owner’s response.I’m not surprised that the service sucks so much. Amazed that you’ve been in business that long, Won’t be getting any of my business again. Complete narcissist blaming me, Instead of asking any questions.

Service was horrible!! drinks were nasty, didn’t drink half of them, ordered 4 different drinks, and didn’t have one full Margarita in me when I left. waitress never said 2 words to us. Drove out there just to enter the raffle, and nobody even bothered to talk about it had to ask. Had ask for more chips, I had to ask for napkins. It was not a good experience. The $7 guacamole was not impressive. Actually, I took the jalapenos out of our margaritas to give it some flavor. The $27 appetizer from the kitchen was amazing!! I would drive out there just to order that again and not drink anything there. The server did not deserve the $17 tip. I left, but I know she has to tip out the Busser, who brought us the salsa, not her and the bartender. And maybe the other waitress who actually took our second drink order because my daughter flagged her down.
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Michele Nelson
Upon first walking in to El Topo, I Was delighted with the atmosphere, the decorations, the liveliness of the bartender, and all the servers were smiling and engaging with the customers. I had a fabulous virgin Margarita and mahi-mahi and shrimp fajitas and requested spicy. All the flavors were fresh and seared great. I will be back!
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Shannon Craft
Our favorite dinner spot in Bigfork! We go there once a week for the friendly faces and service as well as the best food! I love their black bean nachos with shredded beef (the beef is so good!) And I also SUPER LOVE their pork Verde. My husband gets the steak fajitas every time and is obsessed. We love it here. (Recently found out we get charged for chips and salsa though..so thats a bummer)
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Chiaveli Locsin-D’Souza
Hands down one of my Bigfork favorites! The staff is wonderful and makes it a point to know everyone’s name and make them feel like you’re with friends.
Don’t skip out on the Monday ribs that are fall off the bone tender and delicious and Pu-pu platter! Fun to say and delicious, ask for the mango salsa!
But really, if you want somewhere to call your local bar or just pop in for some great people watching and a delicious margarita, this is your place.
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