Review El Jalapeno - Johannesburg

Really enjoyed dinner here. Cute decor. Chicken wings were overcooked though. Other than that we had absolutely no complaints. Everything else we ordered was tasty, fresh and cooked to perfection. Our waiter was also helpful and friendly. We will definitely be back (especially for more strawberry margheritas)

Great quality Mexican food at an affordable price! Has more variety and authentic dishes than your average Mexican restaurant. The starter platter is definitely worth a try! Very cute Mexicana decor really ties the whole vibe together nicely. If you have an iron stomach ask for the spicey option, packs a major punch! Definitely recommend the burritos too!

Great place with fast service. Food was tasty and the beer called The Naked Mexican is delicious. Great vibe and music. Wasn’t very busy but a good place to go out and eat. Food is reasonably priced and cocktails are strong.

Great food and drink. Real value for money. Service was good but not sure how it is when it's not busy. Still, they have great Mexican food.

Went there without any plan. Saw the place from outside kinda cute ♥. So we decided to try, I love it's atmosphere very Mexican with those fancy colours 😘😍. Tough to decide the menu as it's sooo many delicious items 😜 but anyway we picked Jalapeño Poppers (is a must try!!) , Arepitas, Chimichanga and Nachos. I'm Soooo much in love with the Poppers - strong and addictive 🤤.... And the Nachos... Oh my!! It's soooo yummy!! The melting cheese... The crispness... 💞. I definitely going back there for more items to try!

BEST Mexican-themed cocktails ever! This place is so quaint and perfect in its own little way. Beautiful atmosphere and very yummy food. This place is a little gem in Linden, and I'd recommend anyone to give it a try if they're wanting an "exotic" escape during a meal time :)

Food is Awesome, best sauce i have ever tasted

Good margaritas! I've always felt there's some room for improvement with their foodn though, specifically in terms of freshness and flavour. Perhaps some updated preparation techniques? Not sure, but I'm missing something. Would still recommend it for a nice, low-key outing, as it's in a quieter part of Linden.

I really enjoyed the evening here. I went on a quiz night and it was fun and involved and entertaining. On top of that the food was tasty and just the right portion. The best thing though was the cocktails. Amazing mix ratio and varied options available so it is entirely your choice which cocktail to enjoy.

My favourite week day hangout. Chilled vibes, great drinks and their pulled pork quesadillas are amazing.

Yes, I have been back. Several times. Interesting eatery in an unusual location, yet it seems like it has grown brothers and sisters up and down the row of shops making it easier to decide at the last minute whether you feel like one or the other dishes. Decor and atmosphere very appropriate and staff very willing to assist with menu choices. Food was good and served reasonable quickly and the drinks were pretty standard, yet not always the regular wine/brandy/coke variety. Good place for an impromptu dinner when the lights go out.

Lovely little side street cafe. We didn’t eat there but the drinks were amazing!

I ate here for the first time, and it was pretty good. The food was decent and the service was good. The atmosphere was basic but cheerful. I wouldn't make this a regular restaurant but I did enjoy it. I ate the enchiladas and my partner ate the quesedillas (both the vegetarian options) we also had the jalapeño poppers as well as the guacamole and tortilla chips - all were good.

Came for a quick drink. Stayed for the night. It was my lady's birthday and they pulled out all the stops for her. Amazing stuff. Great food. Intimate atmosphere. Fantastic, attentive staff. You have a new fan. Thank you.

Wow delicious food !! Loved the presentation and the decor. Also pretty cool that they've partnered up with the sushi place next door so you can order from both menus :) will definitely come back.

Just add a little more salt and pepper to the food. Overall great place

Really enjoyed the food

Went there for a quick birthday lunch. Had taco’s and it was pretty tasteless for Mexican and the margaritas were not to great. Vibe is okay and waiter seemed fine helping us but overall disappointing outing.

This place has sushi AND Mexican food. The beat of both. The service is EXCELLENT - fast and fresh. The ambiance is festive and music is nice for background music. The beer called “the naked Mexican” is very tasty and food was great. I recommend 👍🏼

Best Mexican food in joburg

Real great how they are able to infuse so many flavors and still make it taste good, try Totopos Ranchos you won't go wrong gr8 dining place.

Cocktails are always good especially the margaritas. Always try something new on the menu when I visit. I have enjoyed everything I have tried.

Not the best Mexican place the city has to offer but it's a nice addition to what Linden has to offer. I really enjoy the churros with chocolate sauce.

We found this little Gem last night and weren't disappointed! The decor is vibrant, the staff is friendly and the overall vibe was great! Very impressed with the food and drinks. Tasted great! ♡♡ good vibes!

Went there without any plan. Saw the place from outside kinda cute ♥. So we decided to try, I love it's atmosphere very Mexican with those fancy colours 😘😍. Tough to decide the menu as it's sooo many delicious items 😜 but anyway we picked Jalapeño Poppers (is a must try!!) , Arepitas, Chimichanga and Nachos. I'm Soooo much in love with the Poppers - strong and addictive 🤤.... And the Nachos... Oh my!! It's soooo yummy!! The melting cheese... The crispness... 💞. I definitely going back there for more items to try!

The food was very underwhelming and not flavourful as Mexican should be. Everything was very bland and under seasoned. I won’t be returning.

We were here on a quiz night and I wasn’t really impressed with the food. The chilli poppers were ok, as were the chicken wing starters, but the rest of the menu was uninspiring to say the least. It tastes like there’s a big pot of chicken, pork and beef in the kitchen, and these three toppings are just spooned as and when needed. No real Mexican flavour and not even a little piece of coriander.

Too bland for Mexican food. Have to pour down the chilli sauce to get any flavor. Drinks reasonably priced and good service otherwise. Food leaves a lot to be desired.

We are here a two weeks ago. Colorful decor but menus could be cleaner, service was friendly but slow (they also handle the restaurant next door) - food was ok but I could have had better at home. With so many other options around it's debatable that we'll be back

Have been here often, had mixed experiences but overall more good than bad. Went just after Christmas and the service was really slow (think they were short staffed). Have been back since and was heaps better. A great place to go for reasonably priced Mexican food. Love the platters, we always order those for some variety. My husband loves the generous servings. We've been for one of the quiz nights as well- was a good, fun atmosphere.

The restaurant has a lovely atmosphere and the food is great. Had a most enjoyable time and will definitely be back again. Great new discovery.

On arrival I realised that this is probably a restaurant one should book for before hand as it is very small and tables are limited, as so with most Linden restaurants. All the tables were reserved but yet tge waiters and manager immediately assisted me and made sure to move tables around so that we had somewhere to sit. I wasnt ignored neither left to one side , they made sure to help me as soon as they could without any fuss. The food and the small yet invitefull atmosphere all held hand together with good service and quality taste. We truly enjoyed our evening and will be back soon.

I got some wings that bitterly disappointed me. They tasted like they had been cooked a while before we got there and were heavily basted in sauce to hide this fact. Not crusty, crispy nor juicy at all! Burnt in fact under all the sauce. It was as if they only used the hot sauce described in the menu as the only seasoning. <br/>Then the blue cheese sauce... It was a white cheese sauce basically. <br/>Service was also not the best. No side fjsbrf <br/><br/>I want to help this local I really do but they need to step a lot up. <br/>I'm hoping this improves. <br/>

El Jalapeno is a colourful, quirky little Mexican restaurant in Linden. I asked for recommendations and ended up eating the chicken quesadilla. The menu clearly states all food is served mild so don't forget to order some heat if that's your preference. The hot chilli sauce is also not particularly hot so you might need to ask for something additional from the kitchen. The quesadilla was full of cheese and chicken so book complaints there. I followed up with dessert - tres leche, something I've never heard of so I had to experiment. It reminded me of a childhood treat - it's cake soaked in milk with a meringue topping. It has a light flavour, not too sweet and definitely a pleasant way to end my Saturday lunch. <br/><br/>The service is quiet and unassuming. The staff were never far away and responded quickly with a smile on their face. <br/><br/>I'm sure this place would also be fun in the evening - lots of interesting drinks to choose from.

Food was awful! The guacamole was off and tasted like it came from a bag. It's not hard to Serve/make fresh avo, when it's available year round. You're a "Mexican" restaurant, it should be a top priority. Had a veganised burrito (no cream or cheese) but filling was boiled frozen vegetables, yuck! Boyfriends nachos were ruined with that fake guacamole .<br/>Won't be coming back.

Visited on a Saturday night. First impression was well decorated but very small. Groups of 4+ should definitely book to avoid disappointment. Started off with jalapeno poppers to share, the usual portion of 3 - so far the best we've had. For mains we had a burrito and a quesadilla which was great. The filling and portion was reasonable and the prices were average. Will definitely go again as the menu had many hard to find dishes. Please note they dont do Nachos.<br/>Definitely a hidden gem just wish they expanded the restaurant size a bit.

We visited this vibrant restaurant for a lunch and found the food to be delicious. How refreshing is it to have so many new and interesting food options to choose from and so many vegetarian choices. Staff were helpful and friendly and we found the service to be good.

The primary thumbs up this place gets is the fact that they have loads of meat free options - a HUGE win for those of us that don't eat meat and normally struggle. The staff were very friendly and helpful and after their wonky table caused my drink to fall in my lap, they replaced the drinks,on the house, which really impressed me. The food was a decent portion, flavours ok but nothing to rave about. The vegetable burrito I had contained, to me, really arb veg like green beans which I felt wasn't very Mexican and didn't fit. We ordered churros for dessert which were raw inside but they gladly remade them and they were really tasty! Not a bad place at all, I think I'm just full of nonsense about food :D

Interesting change of culinary scenery. Nice and spicy Mexican casual dining. Reasonable prices. Nice variety of cocktails - obviously tequila features prominently. Will definitetly go again.

Probably some of the blandest Mexican food I've had. Very little spice, heat or flavour in the burritos and tacos. The poppers did not have a crispy covering as promised on the menu and there was hardly any cheese in them. The guacamole also tasted sterile and mass produced. Unfortunately there was no sign of a manager to report this too.

We had a lovely evening at El Jalapeño. Tiny little restaurant with a very cosy and friendly atmosphere. The decor was fun and inviting and the staff was very friendly and helpful. I had a Margarita Thai, which I will definitely recommend. It is very refreshing and a nice change from a regular Margarita. I will also recommend the starter platter for two, it gives you a nice variety of most of the yummy starters on their menu. Mains were just as yummy. Unfortunately we didn't have space for dessert but looking around in the restaurant it also looked very good.

The best cucumber frozen margarita in town. We haven't been dissapointed... food or cocktail-wise. Awesome staff, awesome food, awesome cocktails ❤

Ordered tamales through order in, was aaaaa-maaaaziiinng.. and Holy Shmole was the mole good. Also had churros, delicious. I cannot wait to visit the place in person.

This spot had a good vibe... While portions were good the food all lacked flavour and we sampled 3 different dishes between two of us. It appeared that they were serving us a mixture of tai-mexican food. Not what I was expecting or ordered.

The portion size is decent, and the quality of ingredients is fine, but the flavour (and heat) expected of Mexican food is sadly missing. The horchata is not close to what it should be. Decor is bright and cheerful, and service is good.

Popular little restaurant in Linden that serves a wide variety of classic Mexican food at reasonable prices. Decor is bright and rustic. The poppers were just hot enough and both the nachos and the tostadas were good portions and tasty. Margaritas were slightly sweet for my liking but fairly reasonable at R50. Service was really good, friendly and attentive.<br/><br/>Overall good value for money if you want a casual vibe where to you can indulge in Mexican food (and who doesn't?)

El Jalapeño's motto is "Bringing the flavours of Mexico and Latin America to Joburg!" and on first visit, this vibey little spot tucked away on 7th street in Linden really does its best to deliver! Brightly coloured interiors, recycled mats and recycled glass lamps, all make for a lot of character and I absolutely loved what I found!<br/><br/>I don't know about you but you really cannot beat a zesty margarita paired with a cheesy plate of nachos!<br/><br/>On the starter side:<br/>- Spicy chicken wings<br/>- Jalapeno Poppers - delicious, cheesy and perfectly cooked! These hollowed out crispy crumbed jalapeños filled with cheese and spices served with cream and coriander dip were delicious! These were the clear winner in the starter category for me! <br/>- Vegetarian Totopos Rancheros: layers of beans, cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, and melted cheddar with tortilla chips.<br/><br/>On the mains:<br/>- De-shelled prawn fajita freshly cooked in a mix of spices, garlic, onion, peppers dished up sizzling with guacamole, salsa, cheese, pico de gallo, cream and three warm wheat tortillas.<br/>- Chicken Burrito: toasted wheat tortilla wrapped about around beans, rice, chicken, guacamole, lettuce, cheese and pico de gallo, served with cream and salsa on the side. This chicken burrito is exceptional value-for-money and simply stuffed with wholesome chicken. I really could not recommend it more! <br/>This cheap and cheerful, brightly colored Mexican spot is great value-for-money and our service from Jane was friendly and quick... all in all - a great night out! <br/>For more, find me on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter: LaurasWorldza

El Jalapeno has a cute, cosy setup. Service was good. <br/><br/>We ordered the Empanadas and theTamales. Both meals were average and nothing to rave about. <br/>The Churros however, were amazing! Crispy on the outside and warm & doughy on the inside. <br/><br/>The Margaritas were delicious and worth going back for.

Great food and a great linden vibe. Cocktail menu has great variety , food is on point. Very efficient service. Fits in perfectly with the linden vibes. Will definitely be back.

The food is great. Cocktails are lovely, staff is friendly. It's a great vibe any day of the week.

Colourful interior and warm atmosphere. The menu had great variety and the service was good. Would go back to try other menu items. I can't say I was completely wow'd by the flavours, I did have to salt a bit. I had the chicken Empanadas for starters and the prawn Tostadas for mains. Couple of cocktails, shooters etc. The de-shelled prawns were a bit chewy on the Tostadas, think perhaps they were frozen prawns. Churros for dessert and they were delicious!

My absolute favourite Mexican restaurant! The service is good without being obtrusive and annoying. The manager remembers us everytime we return and has a little treat to make us feel welcome, be it churros on the house or a soda float for the kids. The portions are a good size for their price which means you can have starters , mains and dessert without breaking the bank. The empanadas are a winner for starters. The nachos were huge, filling and cheesy. The tamales piled high with your choice of topping. Burritos full and heavy. Churros soft and fluffy. All round a fun dining experience that I would recommend to anyone looking for a unpretentious and nice night out.

Awesome addition to our neighbourhood in Linden. Good food,nice flavours and friendly staff. Love the Mexican twist to the decor. The fajitas is a must try.

Decor and setting is festive. However I found the food lacking in inspiration and rather dissapointing for the price. The waiter was very friendly and food arrived at the table quickly.

My boyfriend and I visited this cute little place yesterday for lunch. The food is good - I must say that, for the most part, it tasted rather authentic and it was filled with flavour! We ordered the Tacos and Enchiladas which really pleased our taste buds... The service was good, and the prices are OK...I only have two real criticisms 1)The beans they serve aren't up to standard like the other Mexican restaurants around - I think they're almost like tinned beans and 2)El Jalapeño could improve slightly on their cleanliness of crockery etc. The glasses weren't squeaky clean and they didn't have wet wipes, but perhaps that's a personal thing. Would be back.

The quality of the food has slowly but surely been declining during the last four months. I have tried most of the dishes on the menu. It is almost certain that if you order anything with cornmeal dough it will taste stale.<br/>I have ordered for takeaway several times and I have gotten the incorrect order a few times. Incredibly frustrating.<br/><br/>Don't order cocktails. Many of the recipes are made with lime cordial.<br/><br/>Won't be ordering from them again.

A mixed bag of Zomato reviews left me unsure of what to expect at El Jalapeño - whilst Mexican food is easy, it can go wrong very fast. Luckily this wasn't the case here at all and we were very happy with our meal.<br/>I had a delicious non-alcoholic strawberry daiquiri which I got rid of pretty fast. We ordered one of the platters to share between 2 of us - a great way to sample multiple dishes at a very reasonable price.<br/>We opted for the taco, tostada and tamale platter with a combination of chicken, pork and beef. The pork was outstandingly tender and the beef and chicken were both delicious. It was our first time trying tamales and whilst tasty, they probably won't replace tostadas and tacos as our favorite.<br/><br/>For a weekday night the place was surprisingly busy, a great sign of a place that's popular. Definitely worth a visit.

Great place, great vibe, great Mexican fare will be back!!!! Love the fact you can order from Hashi next door as well!! Love the Linden Street vibe.

Festive and fun feel at this place. Tequila-based every-kind-of-drink. My tip: steer clear of the mexican cerveza and remember that you can order sushi from Hashi (next door) directly to your table at El Jalapeno

I had such a great time here! Delicious food, fast service and an enjoyable ambience 👌👌 Can't wait to come back and bring everyone I know!

I had heard such amazing reviews about this place, so decided I had to give it a try. Nice, quirky little spot in Linden. Good cocktails menu. Ordered the starter platter to share. The cigars weren't crispy, the aerapitas were stodgy and the empanadas were totally doughy. The chicken wings were overcooked, as if they had been cooked the day before and re-heated. The poppers were separated from the coating, also left a lot to be desired.<br/>For mains, I tried the steak fajitas, which was dry and overcooked. My hubby opted for the burrito. He enjoyed it.<br/>We shared a Churros for dessert. They were very doughy instead of being light and fluffy.<br/>Staff stand around and do nothing instead of clearing the tables, even at a "one table occupied" time of day.

So many mexican places in jhb , I stopped for a quick drink at el jalapeno , the service was quick and efficient because there were almost nobody there . Tried the churros with choc sauce , it was gud , still nyc and warm .

Sometimes a restaurant is a solid 2 and there is nothing to be ashamed of. The food at El Jalapeño is definitely mediocre and the sombrero service is average.<br/>But if you look around every table is having a great evening. We certainly did too! So on that evening when you don't want to spend an arm and a leg and be subjected to an uncomfortably stiff environment give this Linden gem a chance!

Fantastic Mexican food. Starters: Botanas Mixtas tasting platter. Mains included: Chicken Tamales, Chicken Fajitas and Roasted Veg Burrito. Desert: Churros Con Chocolate <br/>The food was delious and decently presented. Service was very friendly and relatively quick.<br/>The decor was simple and fun. The Manager Freedom was really good to us from start to finish and very attentive which we loved. We were even given extra delious deserts afterwards. Loads more meals to sample on the next visit back.

Danger! There is a (very good) Mexican restaurant within walking distance to my home! This is going to be a problem. Who can resist tasty cocktails, shooters with a punch, Jalapeño Poppers which are firm but the cheese is melted perfectly inside, empanadas, crunchy and fresh pulled pork tacos and the oh so tasty Fajitas with marinated steak strips!? <br/>I can't that's for sure! <br/>The pics might not do it justice as we do seem to be more attracted to colour and the bright red of tomatoes and caramel brown of anything deep fried, but don't let them fool you (as they did to me for a while)!<br/>The service was very good, decor is minimalistic but effective and we were pleasantly surprised. <br/>Linden has yet another gem!

My friend and I stumbled upon this little hidden gem a while ago and I was so glad we did. This small restaurant more than holds its own with the bigger Mexican restaurants that I have been to. The food is fresh and o so good. I ordered the pull pork tacos, while my friends got a beef quesadilla. Can't wait to go again.

A typical Linden "Hole in the wall" style restaurant, with a couple of very friendly waiters and only about a dozen tables. Very cozy and intimate, and you immediately feel relaxed and welcome when you arrive.<br/><br/>Their Margaritas are superb, and their Tostado's are the best I've had.<br/>A little disappointed by the Tomales and Tacos, but their Buritos and Quesedillas were very good. An all-round great family dinner. We'll definitely be back!

A disappointing dinner here actually started, excitedly, with the cherry on the top (of my basil and mint frozen Marguerita) and ended, dismally, as dirty dish water coffees that were sent back (but not charged for - thank you)My Frozen Marguerita (with said 🍒 on the top) really had my tastebuds tingling and my prawn salad, beautifully presented in a 🌮 (!!) bowl, looked fabulous...but, sadly, that's where it ended. My salad turned out to be a bland basket of shredded lettuce with a few tiny, tasteless shrimps scattered on the surface and my dining partner's tacos were falling apart as she tried to gather them up off the quaint wooden serving board. To make matters worse - she reported being up all night after that with food poisoning 🙈 Hopefully these are just "teething issues" in this funky new restaurant and can be improved on, but for now I will stick to one of the many other Mexican spots for my Marguerita fix

The Mexican wave has hit yet again, this cosy spot has a lovely laid back feel to it. Tried our luck one Saturday night and got the last table, booking is advisable. Our waitress was cheerful and efficient. Dishes are eye catching with certain mains served in clay pot Tangines. The Jalepeno poppers tasted like they were pickled which left a strange aftertaste. We also chose an Azteca platter to share, all was fresh and meat tender but food just lacked that Mexican authentic flavor, if you like the milder side of Mexican then well suited for you. Personally I found the texture of the Tamales base off putting and bitter. They are licensed, their Cocktails are a must do!

Loved Spanish music playing in background. Had chicken pulled tacos soft shell which needed more heat and crunchiness. Chicken should be fried as pulled makes it quite mushy.Also had churros which were freshly made but the chocolate sauce is more like syrup than chocolate sauce .It needs to be more thicker

A very disappointing experience. Service was apathetic and drinks (margaritas) tasted like they were made from a pre-mix.<br/>Starters were below par. The flautas tasted like they had been fried in old oil and the jalapeno poppers were so hot that they would have challenged even a seasoned Mexican.We decided on Tamales for mains, my husband had the pulled beef and I had the vegetarian (jalapeno and onions). My husband enjoyed his, but the vegetarian option was bland and unexciting - it appeared that a bunch of pickled jalapenos chopped up with tomato and onions had been fried and put on top of the tamales, no thought or care at all.<br/>We didn't stay for desert.<br/>We definitely won't be back.

The food wasn't bad but we waited a long time for most things <br/><br/>Reservation got confusing for everyone because we were actually seated at the restaurant next door <br/><br/>Very popular restaurant though so it may just have been a bad night

Delicious food! Quite a diverse menu - recommend the platters as you get to try a bit of everything. Good service. I've been a number of times and have always been impressed.

Mexican I kinda hard to mess up, but this was bordering in it. I had the pulled chicken taco: the chicken was more like tuna and the whole thing was quite lacking in taste. The jalapeno poppers need some pop. The service was also pretty slow.

This place has a really nice vibe and is in the up and coming trendy neighbourhood. The food was delicious - we had a starter platter and nachos for starters. And chicken and pork soft shell tacos. The only fault was the service. It was very slow (the food came quickly, but our waiter was a bit absent) - I had to wave quite a few times to get his attention. Other than that a pleasant experience.

I am rating El Jalapeño purely on their dessert as we were actually eating at Hashi next door but ordered a flan from El Jalapeño for dessert (they are owned by the same lady). The flan was absolutely delicious and we are very much looking forward to come try the full menu!

Excellent dinner! Shared the Botanas Mixtas which was delicious and very substantial. Added the gambas which were to die for! Best churros since eating them in Spain. So impressed! Will be here again.

Really long waiting time for food and the food choice was quite bland and sadly less than average. The plus side is that they make quite amazing frozen Margaritas so yay

Friendly, efficient service. Excellent food with good size portions. Love that the chef came out and spoke to each table. Will definitely go back.

Huge variety of authentic Mexican food. The food is amazing and it's very hard to decide to eat. The platters are a winner because it has various dishes that are included. Only down side is the restaurant is a bit small and cramped and they don't have beer on tap which would make the food even better.

It does not look like much from the outside. But as they say "you cant judge a book by it's cover." <br/><br/>Very colourful , cozy and vibey little spot in Linden with a great atmosphere. <br/><br/>The food was delicious. We had a table of  15 and not one person had anything bad to say about the food. The  Jalapeno Poppers were a definite hit. I ordered the Maya platter, which would be my recommendation for any first timers. You get to try a little bit of everything if your not sure what to order and it is more than enough food for 2. I also tried the Tamales which personally I did not enjoy, but that is a matter of opinion as others loved them. Also if you are not up for Mexican you can order from Hashi next door. One of the diners at our table ordered a Sushi pizza which she said was different , but good.<br/><br/>If you have been to some of the other newer Mexican restaurants in Joburg you be would familiar with the ever popular flavoured craft tequilas. Unfortunately you wont find that on El Jalapenos menu, however they do offer a range of cocktails, shooters and beers.<br/> <br/><br/>Make a reservation before you go as there is not much seating.

El Jalapeño is joining a large surge of Mexican restaurants popping up in Jo'burg. We dropped in on a busy evening without a reservation and we were happily accommodated. The margaritas are super tasty and go down well with the totopos rancheros starter which was tasty and packed with fresh ingredients. I had the beef tamales for main, tamales are delicious corn meal parcels cooked in corn husk and this was my first time finding them on the menu at a Mexican restaurant in Jo'burg, they definitely did not disappoint.<br/>El Jalapeño is an awesome new addition to Lindens new restaurant hub.

This is a really quirky little spot, the service was good, the Vampiro cocktail was amazing and their food was really tasty... But their salad was a huge disappointment... R60 for iceberg lettuce with a hint of a few other ingredients (not even the full compliment as listed on the menu), also iceberg lettuce is NOT mixed greens as is listed on the menu... As a vegan I found the salad (a staple of my diet) less than poor... I was disappointed... ☹️

What a cool little place. Small, vibey and very colorful with good food! The jalapeño poppers are incredible and so was the mushroom/chilli quesadilla, just the right amount of spice and heat. They had some nice looking cocktails as well so I'll have to go back for those.<br/>This being said, the service was a great let down. Our waitress had to be called every time we wanted to order so eventually we started using any waiter around (quite annoying). Like I said, it's a small place and we got there when the place was still quiet so if the food wasn't so good, this rating would be much lower ...

I love Mexican food! and was excited to hear about the opening of a Mexican restaurant in Linden. Booked my table for a Friday evening. Went with the bf. Friendly attentive service from our waitress. We could order from both Hashi's menu (restaurant next door) or ElJalapeno's menu. Started off with some jalapeno poppers which were good but nothing amazing. Then for mains opted for the mushroom quesadilla (waitress said this was going to be cheesy) whilst the bf had pork tacos. We didn't wait long for our food. Food was good - prob a 9 out of 10 for flavour. However, the score of 3 I am awarding elJalapeno is due to the lack of vibe in the restaurant. The Mexican vibe (I am comparing it to Salsa in Fourways) was missing. No Mexican music on top of it :( I'll give them another try soon again though to see if I change my mind  :)

Amazing food. Has authentic Mexican dishes. If you want more than tacos, nachos and the usual suspects this place is for you. The tamales were amazing. If you want a different dessert other than churros (and how I do love churros), try the bunuelos which are absolutely divine. They would get a 5 rating from me except they didn't have authentic Mexican hot chocolate which the owner promised to source. Authentic Mexican, a must try.

For Hashi and El Jelepeno (same owners). First of all the quality of the food is fantastic, so fresh! Another pro is that both restaurants allow the ordering from each other so it makes finding a hang-out much easier. Also, if you are Spanish and would love a good chat then it is the best place for that in Linden.

You need to book early in the day to get a table. Loved the ambiance, it is fun and vibey, but the food was only OK. I had the pork tacos. It was fresh, but I was not blown away by flavour.

The aesthetics seemed to be informed with 'what's the cheapest way to create Mexican'. If you take away the plastic trinkets there is nothing to identify it as a Mexican Reataurant. The food is good with a focus on spice. Of all the Jalapeño poppers in Jhb these are not my favorites - to soft and not enough cheese. <br/>Linden has become a wonderful curated space and this feels like the old linden which catered for a student crowd. <br/><br/>The waitress didn't know what a 'virgin margarita' was, which one would think is a basic off menu order on such an establishment. But friendly and willing to offer something else. <br/><br/>Over all I'll go looking else where when it comes to Mexican food in Jozi.

An interesting addition to the Linden food scene. Not the best Mexican I've ever had as it lacks flavour and "umph", but a vibey spot for a quick midweek dinner. If you're with a crowd who aren't keen on Mexican, they can simply order off the Hashi menu (next door restaurant) as they share a kitchen and the staff are more than willing to accommodate you.

Outrageously delicious food - had the chicken burrito as well as tastes of the beef quesadillas, nachos and the vegetarian tostadas and everything was spot on. There are plenty of vegetarian options if you're into that, and heaps of drinks options too. Goes to prove that dynamite comes in small packages. It's something different - make sure you book a table in advance!

Great food. Good flavor. Guacamole needs more attention! Lacked seasoning and could do with a bit of livening. Awesome frozen margaritas! The strawberry one was amazing. Don't order the agua de jamaica drink. Boyf hated it.

My husband and I made a visit to El Jalapeño after seeing a rave review on Eat Out. Safe to say by our rating that we were both left wanting. <br/>He ordered the pulled pork burrito and I the pulled chicken tamales. <br/>My tamales were rather bland. The pico de gallo was lacking the distinctive taste of serrano chillies and lime juice.<br/>The burrito was just as bland with hard rice. <br/>What saved our meal was the churros and chocolate sauce. <br/>Also kinda pricy for such average food. Won't hurry back.

The vibrant decor immediately transports you to Mexico, the restaurant really has a great vibe. The menu has quite a variety to choose from and everyone around the table really enjoyed their meals. Service was a bit slow and unfriendly, but shouldn't be a problem if you just having a relaxed lunch.

Oh my deliciousness!!! It's official - i like Mexican food. Stopped by for late afternoon Sunday lunch, the little tables on the sidewalk were packed. One of the coolest things of this spot is that you can order from both Hashi Sushi nextdoor and El Jalapeno - a nice problem solver for a nights out where not everyone is keen on the same cuisine. As for the food - oh my! We had arepitas for staters - little bursts of flavour with delish pulled beef and creamy feta. Our mains - Pollo Tachos and Tostadas were filling and fresh - i like my food mild but if you want a bit more bite - just ask for it. And that special touch? The Mexican chef that came around for a quick check-in - always special. Thank you El Jalapeno and Linden - we'll definitely be back.

Came here with a group of friends. Had some Coronas but they served them with lemon as didn't have lime which is a pity. The fish ceviche tacos were nice but I think they used hake which made it a bit floury in texture. I had the prawn fajitas for mains which were nice but not fantastic. I'd say there are much better Mexican restaurants around in terms of food. And these guys ran out of Corona... On a Saturday night. Not cool.

Linden is the new ... Wait no linden is different. And it's nice. I like it. El Jalapeño fills the need for a Mexican restaurant in the area. The menu has more variety than most others and the taste is good. I recommend a trip to linden to try it out.

You know the food is great when a real Mexican comes our of the kitchen to greet you! This is a real gem in the hub of Linden. I would recommend it any day!

Populating 7th street, a nice buzz for a Friday night. Service is good. Have a margaretia. Mexican food that is not layered with heavy cheese, flavours are light and comforting. <br/>Quirky setting. fajitas are perfect for the winter. Decent guacamole. And I must say value for money. I def go back. In terms of The greatest Mexican Restuarant, I would say this second third<br/>On my list.

A quaint little Mexican restaurant. It is brightly coloured and resembles a homely ma-and-pa restaurant. The staff are wonderfully friendly and have a good understanding of the menu as well as the different types of Mexican food. I ordered a margarita which was very weak and so I didn't enjoy it. The food was simple and tasty but most definitely not gourmet. For two people a meal that consists of a starter, mains and two drinks the bill came to R 360, 00. I found it to be value for money. I don't know if I will return simply because it's nothing to write home about but it is still fairly new so I would keep that in mind.

Great find! el Jalapeño delivers - our food came out quickly and was delicious - spot on in terms of flavour - can highly recommend the tacos and burritos. Service is attentive. Will definitely be back.

What a great find! Delicious, wholesome, Mexican food and friendly, efficient service. Tried the chicken fajitas which came in a decent portion size with warm tortillas- so yum! Also tried the chicken burrito which had just the right amount of filling and was very authentic and flavorsome.

What a great find! This place us amazing Mexican food which isn't covered in cheese the whole time. Great service, great food . . . Highly recommended.

My boyfriend and I went here for an early Saturday night dinner and the initial impression was slow service - The waitress took some time to bring us menu's and to take our orders. Once we had ordered, our drinks and food were actually very quick to come out. The food was tasty and authentic, but if you are looking for hot then you have to specifically order hot. The staff are all very friendly and helpful, the owner even came around to check if we were happy with the food. The seating arrangement is quite different, expect to sit outside if you don't book - the place got full at around 8pm. We will be back to try more of their menu

We do many culinary things well here in South Africa, but admittedly Mexican food is not one of them - until now.  El Jalapeño is one of the newcomers in Linden's growing number of wonderful eateries - and I'd certainly place it at the top of the list.  Run by a Venezuelan husband and wife team, and more importantly, with a Mexican chef in kitchen, El Jalapeño turns out delicious and good value platters of tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and the like. While many places may call themselves "Mexican" rarely does one find delicious soft corn tortillas and yummy tamales like you do here. It makes my mouth water just thinking about my next meal here.  My one recommendation to the kitchen would be to work on those heavy-handed churros, I have absolute faith that they'll be lighter and delicious when next I sit down to order.

Went with the family for lunch on Sunday. All food ordered was very nice, the burritos though were a favourite. Kids really enjoyed the food - flavourful but not hot. Good efficient service as well.<br/>

Lovely ambience and helpful staff. The owners are charming and helpful and I enjoyed the fact that the food was a move away from the Tex-mex slop that we are used to as South Africans. Lighter and more subtle flavours that don't leave trails of overzealously cheesed rivulets running down your hands and chin. The cocktails were well presented and my classic margarita perfectly balanced - my husband especially enjoyed the beer cocktail 'michelada'. I loved the flan for dessert but we were really let down by the much anticipated churros. The dough was fried to within an inch of its life - so crisp and overly rolled in sugar. However the cardinal sin was the chocolate dipping sauce. It certainly was NOT made of chocolate! After a couple of bites when I was left wondering why there was no velvety chocolate residue in my mouth I tasted the sauce on its own. I couldn't believe it when I tasted it and realized that i had been served chocolate sauce out of a bottle - and I mean the cheap kind that the ice cream truck puts on its soft serves!!! Please, please invest in the proper thing, this was a very disappointing end to what otherwise was a nice meal. So 3.5 because of the whole package, but would have been lower if just based on the dessert.

What a disappointment! We ordered some mojito's and there was a weird lime syrup in it instead of fresh lime juice and brown sugar. I had the chicken tacos and it wasn't very good at all. It didn't really taste like anything. My husband and friend ordered the beef tamales. It was so dry that they almost couldn't eat it. The jalapeño poppers was pretty good and I would probably go back for them. Sad about the mains though...

Great service and super tasty cocktails. We went with a large group and they managed to keep us all happy. I had a delicious roast veg burrito and the margaritas were really super tasty.<br/><br/>Some meals seemed to be better than others. The soft taco meal didn't impress but I was super happy with all my food.<br/><br/>Keen to go back!

One of the slew of new Mexican restaurants in Joburg, El Jalapeño's been fully booked since it opened a few weeks ago. After finally getting a booking my friends and I were a little underwhelmed by the fare on offer. The drinks - margaritas, a strange spiced beer, and other standard cocktails - were okay, but not outstanding, and the food was similarly underwhelming. Nothing was terrible, but nothing was exceptional either. Between us we tried the chicken tacos, nachos, fajitas and chilli poppers and generally found them a little bland. The sauces on the table helped to spice things up, but we all agreed we'd give it a few months to find its stride before trying it again.

Amazing food and lovely people. The ambiance is really cool and out of the ordinary. Definitely will be back! The best: gorditas and quesadilla

An awesome new addition to Linden - el jalapeño has some of the best poppers around, a great vibe and delicious chow! Next time - tequila! Def be back soon!