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El Zarape Cafe

If you're looking for an authentic Mexican dining experience in Bay City, Texas, look no further than El Zarape Cafe. Located at 1917 13th St, Bay City, TX 77414, this local gem has been delighting patrons with its vibrant atmosphere and mouthwatering dishes. Whether you're a longtime lover of Mexican cuisine or someone seeking a fresh culinary adventure, El Zarape Cafe offers a dining experience that’s hard to beat.

A Warm Welcome to El Zarape Cafe

As you step into El Zarape Cafe, you'll immediately notice the cozy, welcoming atmosphere that makes it feel like home. The restaurant’s vibrant decor, complete with traditional Mexican artwork and colorful accents, sets the stage for a memorable dining experience. Whether you're grabbing a casual meal with friends or celebrating a special occasion, the friendly staff ensures you feel right at home.

The Authentic Mexican Flavors You’ve Been Craving

One of the highlights of El Zarape Cafe is its commitment to authentic Mexican flavors. The restaurant's menu features a wide variety of traditional Mexican dishes, each prepared with the finest ingredients. From sizzling fajitas to savory enchiladas, there's something for every palate. If you're a fan of tacos, the taco selection at El Zarape Cafe is nothing short of impressive, with options like carne asada, carnitas, and al pastor, all seasoned to perfection.

El Zarape Cafe’s signature dishes stand out because of the homemade salsas and sauces made from scratch. These add a layer of depth to each dish, bringing out rich flavors that complement the fresh ingredients used in every meal. Don’t forget to try their special margaritas, which perfectly pair with the vibrant flavors of the food.

Popular Dishes at El Zarape Cafe:

  • Fajitas: Tender beef, chicken, or shrimp served sizzling hot with peppers and onions, creating an irresistible aroma that will make your mouth water.
  • Enchiladas: Corn tortillas filled with your choice of filling, smothered in a savory sauce and topped with melted cheese.
  • Tacos: From carne asada to shrimp, these tacos are packed with flavor and served with fresh toppings like cilantro, onions, and lime.
  • Chiles Rellenos: A classic Mexican dish with a twist, featuring roasted poblano peppers stuffed with cheese or meat, then fried to crispy perfection.
  • Margaritas: Enjoy a refreshing margarita, available in various flavors, from classic lime to tropical options like mango or strawberry.

Exceptional Customer Experience: What Sets El Zarape Cafe Apart

El Zarape Cafe is more than just a place to eat; it's a place to enjoy great food in a relaxed, friendly setting. The team at El Zarape Cafe is known for their outstanding service. Customers rave about the attentive waitstaff, who are always eager to share recommendations and ensure that your dining experience is flawless.

The restaurant’s owners are passionate about their cuisine, and this dedication to quality shines through in every dish they serve. Whether it’s a busy weekend or a quiet weekday evening, the staff at El Zarape Cafe maintains a high standard of service that ensures your meal is always satisfying.

Why Choose El Zarape Cafe?

When it comes to dining out, it’s essential to choose a restaurant that offers more than just great food. At El Zarape Cafe, you’re guaranteed:

  • Authenticity: Every dish is made using traditional Mexican recipes passed down through generations, ensuring an authentic taste of Mexico.
  • Quality Ingredients: From fresh vegetables to tender meats, El Zarape Cafe uses only the highest quality ingredients, ensuring that every meal is flavorful and satisfying.
  • Friendly Atmosphere: Whether you're dining with family, friends, or colleagues, you’ll feel like part of the El Zarape Cafe family with their warm and welcoming environment.

Great for All Occasions

El Zarape Cafe isn't just for casual dining—it’s perfect for all occasions. Planning a birthday party or a family gathering? Their spacious seating area can accommodate groups of all sizes. Plus, their delicious family-style meals make it easy to share the joy of eating together. If you’re looking for a place to unwind after a long day, the cozy ambiance at El Zarape Cafe provides the ideal setting to relax and enjoy your meal.

Supporting Local: A Proud Member of the Bay City Community

El Zarape Cafe is not only a beloved dining destination in Bay City, TX, but it’s also an important part of the local community. The restaurant takes pride in supporting local farmers and suppliers to ensure that every dish served is fresh and of the highest quality. Their commitment to local sourcing and sustainable practices helps contribute to the growth and prosperity of the area.

Reviews

Cody T.
Restaurantji Rating

Overall a good eating experience! The inside is quiet and not bright but not too dark. Didn't visit the restrooms, but the dining area was clean. Chips were good, salsa is good. The salsa is not chunky, it's more of a runny salsa. Good heat, but I felt needed a little more salt. One unique thing is you get hot bean dip with your chips free! We had the "El Zarape Plate" and the shrimp taco plate. We omitted the rice on the taco plate. The Zarape plate comes with plenty of food for 14.99. You get a cold plate with a taco, tostada and a queso chalupa. The hot plate has a tamale, enchilada and rice and beans. The enichilada gravy was good. I love salty food so I needed salt on everything, the food wasn't too spicy nor too bland. Would def eat here again. Service was on the spot, and beer was ice cold

Joanie S.
Restaurantji Rating

Delicious food! Service wasn't bad but not fantastic either! I had the cheese enchiladas and they were great! Would eat here again.

Chip L.
Restaurantji Rating

Food is good. Beef fajitas were a little tough but the chicken fajitas were great. Tamales were tasty but just a little heavy on the masa. Mexican dinner was very good. Service is great! We will be back.

Em R.
Restaurantji Rating

This place has been a family favorite my entire life. I would definitely recommend this place over any other in town in terms of family friendliness. It is a staple of bay city and if you are looking for something small and family owned this is the place. All of the food is amazing, but one of my favorites is the shrimp nachos.

Robert G.
Restaurantji Rating

My son lives in the Heights in Houston where really good restaurants are everywhere so when he went to lunch with us at El Zarape Cafe he said the food was the best he has had!

Location & Contact

1917 13th St Bay City, TX 77414

Opening times

Monday 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Tuesday 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Wednesday 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Thursday 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Friday 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Saturday 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Sunday Closed
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