El Faro (The lighthouse)
A dream in the heart of Doña Mari (as everyone knows her). It is an establishment that offers a 100% family atmosphere to enjoy some rich and traditional Mexican antojitos (street food) in the Veracruz style.
I have once again found myself in amazement that I haven’t tried a place before. This is. Without a doubt, not just the best Hispanic cuisine in Lee County. It’s some of the if not The, best I’ve ever had anywhere. The atmosphere is unique and cozy. The people who run this place are so sweet. And the food is fresh and delicious. Cannot wait to come back.
Published 8 months ago
I recently tried the Quesadillas al Pastor and the beef Tostadas, and I was blown away by how delicious they were❤️🔥 The texture of each dish was spot-on – crispy, flavorful, and just the right balance of ingredients🤜🤛 The quesadillas had a smoky, savory taste with tender pieces of meat that melted in my mouth🫠 while the tostadas were perfectly crunchy with a rich, seasoned beef topping that brought everything together beautifully👍 Both dishes left a lasting impression, and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for authentic and mouth-watering flavors❣️
Published 6 months ago
The exterior is a bit off-putting but don't let that discourage you. Go inside. It's very small. Only two tables which seat four each, and a few which seat two each. You'll notice that the place is very clean, and the 100 health score is prominently posted. Friendly staff will explain the menu choices and all the food is excellent. Portions aren't huge. But they are perfectly balanced and delicious. Be careful with the habanero hot sauce (the orange one) as it will regrow hair on bald men.
Published 4 months ago
Fantastic food, I highly recommend it! Extremely good service and the restaurant is very nice inside too, you can tell the owners take pride in their food and their establishment.
I ordered a tostada and two picadas to try as this was my first visit here. Everything was excellent, I ordered to go so I could not tell them how much I enjoyed the food and the flavor it had. Truly good food, I will absolutely eat here again and based on the food I ate the the food I saw being delivered to other tables I’m pretty sure I will like everything they make! Slight wait as everything was made fresh and the end result was well worth the wait of 5 minutes or so. The sauces you see on my food in the pictures were included in the to go bag also.
Service was also excellent, they were happy to help me choose what to try and make recommendations. Thank you very much, I’m very happy I decided to try this restaurant.
Published 3 years ago
Hands down best tacos in the area. Amazing service, amazing staff, and beyond amazing food. This is definitely a must stop! Whether you're visiting or live in the area.
Published 5 months ago
Go, get authentic Mexican food, and be happy
Published 4 months ago
The exterior is a bit off-putting but don't let that discourage you. Go inside. It's very small. Only two tables which seat four each, and a few which seat two each. You'll notice that the place is very clean, and the 100 health score is prominently posted. Friendly staff will explain the menu choices and all the food is excellent. Portions aren't huge. But they are perfectly balanced and delicious. Be careful with the habanero hot sauce (the orange one) as it will regrow hair on bald men.
Published 4 months ago
Food was way better then my expectations Loved it! Will definitely be going back
Published 5 months ago
Published 5 months ago
Hands down best tacos in the area. Amazing service, amazing staff, and beyond amazing food. This is definitely a must stop! Whether you're visiting or live in the area.
Published 5 months ago
Published 5 months ago
I recently tried the Quesadillas al Pastor and the beef Tostadas, and I was blown away by how delicious they were❤️🔥 The texture of each dish was spot-on – crispy, flavorful, and just the right balance of ingredients🤜🤛 The quesadillas had a smoky, savory taste with tender pieces of meat that melted in my mouth🫠 while the tostadas were perfectly crunchy with a rich, seasoned beef topping that brought everything together beautifully👍 Both dishes left a lasting impression, and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for authentic and mouth-watering flavors❣️
Published 5 months ago
여기 존나 맛도리
Published 6 months ago
Published 6 months ago
Published 7 months ago
I’m
Published 7 months ago
Very tasty food. The fresh tortillas are amazing.
Published 7 months ago
Agua de jamaica and tacos were the bees knees. Really happy I stopped by here for lunch. Looking forward to coming back or possibly catering for customers in the future.
Published 7 months ago
Amazing!
Published 8 months ago
Published 8 months ago
I have once again found myself in amazement that I haven’t tried a place before. This is. Without a doubt, not just the best Hispanic cuisine in Lee County. It’s some of the if not The, best I’ve ever had anywhere. The atmosphere is unique and cozy. The people who run this place are so sweet. And the food is fresh and delicious. Cannot wait to come back.
Published 8 months ago
Published 9 months ago
El único lugar con verdadero sabor de comida mexicana
Published 9 months ago
Amazing place to eat Mexican food!
Published 10 months ago
Published a year ago
Published a year ago
Very good food and milkshakes
Published a year ago
¡JEHOVAH JIREH! God will provide and you best believe He provided today. My taste buds hath receiveth salvation today. When my car nearly was overturned in the potholes in the parking lot, I knew I was in for a good time. This is more than a hole in the wall, this is as if someone used a PzH 2000* self-propelled howitzer artillery system on a small piece of drywall. This hidden gem is “more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her” (Proverbs 3:15, NRSV). My tacos asada with a tall Mexican cane sugar Coke filled my stomach with abundant joy and nutritious splendor. The 7 crying babies really added to the atmosphere, and I felt like I was part of the family. They all call “Tio” now.
Published a year ago
Ladies and Gentlemen this is by FAR the best Mexican in all of Auburn. I do not even want to hear any comparisons because they’ll all fall short. We had the empanadas, street tacos and much more and still wanted to go back for seconds. The staff was so nice and kind. I can tell they cook with their heart and soul. I need this place to have the heck promoted out of it because it’s just so freaking good. The five stars are actually Michelin stars. 12/10 the best food in town
Published a year ago
Published a year ago
Small, clean, outstanding restaurant behind Mandarin House. This is not your standard tex mex combination dinner. El Faro makes authentic mexican specialties. I had the chilaquiles and they were freshly made (made to order is the only way with chilaquiles), the wife had some other item but I was too into my dish to notice what she was eating. The two ladies running this restaurant know what they are doing. I can't wait to try everything on the menu.
Published a year ago
Amazing tostadas, authentic and delicious! I'd eat these every day
Published a year ago
This is quite possibly the best restaurant in auburn-opelika, let alone the best Mexican restaurant. Get there for breakfast, the chilaquiles are outstanding. As is everything else on the menu - especially the picadas. Service is great - nothing fancy but very cozy.
Published a year ago
This the furst time we came here and it definitely will not be our last! The steak taco is absolutely delicious, no sauces needed, the additionof fresh cilantro was fantastic. The cucumbers on the side were a very pleasant surprise and complimented the taco. Highly recommend all to give it a try, you won't be disappointed.
Published a year ago
Wow! This is an amazing place; a MUST try.
SUNDAY ONLY: Quesabirrias 😋
Everything on the short menu is perfect! Quesadillas are probably my favorite.
Published a year ago
Published a year ago
Everhting was very fresh and delicious.
Published a year ago
Published a year ago
Authentic food - very tasty. Will go again and try other menu items. Tried a carnitas taco and a beef taco. Tried an empanada. Won't get that again - for the price, very little meat. Ordered plantains, but they didn't have any. Very small place, not a lot of seating. Good food.
Published a year ago
Published a year ago
The most authentic Mexican restaurant in Auburn and Opelika, original taste and a tradition way to serve as in Mexico
Published a year ago
Published a year ago
Muy rica la comida tortillas a mano exelente servicio!!!
Published a year ago
Great authentic Mexican with fast friendly service!
Published a year ago
Delicious, authentic, cheap, great service, clean, so many good things to say about this place. Be mindful if you have allergies though.
Published a year ago
We stumbled upon this gem of an Authentic Mexican restaurant, and when I say authentic, I mean it's not your typical Tex-Mex; it's an exceptional taste of homemade Mexican flavors. The handcrafted corn tortillas transport you to a cozy, home-cooked meal, evoking nostalgic memories.
I highly suggest paying a visit and indulging in their delectable quesadillas and tostadas, boasting truly remarkable flavors.
While the experience is fantastic, a broader selection of hot sauces could elevate the culinary journey. Additionally, improving the speed of service would be beneficial since the demand is so high that sometimes the staff struggles to keep up with orders.
Despite these minor considerations, my love for the food is unwavering, and I wholeheartedly recommend this place for an authentic Mexican culinary experience.
A notable aspect for improvement is the menu's consistency; there are instances when items specified on the menu, particularly breakfast options available until noon, become unavailable due to running out. This hiccup suggests a need to expand both personnel and dish inventory to ensure a seamless dining experience and meet the high demand adequately. Despite this, the overall charm and flavor of the food make it a worthwhile visit.
Published 2 years ago
El Faro Review:
Step into El Faro,, and you’re immediately enveloped by the warm ambiance and the tantalizing aroma of authentic Mexican cuisine. Their empanadas? A delightful journey of flavors, perfectly crisped on the outside with a heartwarming filling within. The street tacos are no exception, boasting a blend of traditional spices that will make any Mexican-food aficionado nod in approval. A pro-tip for first-timers and regulars alike: always inquire about the daily special. You never know what culinary delight awaits you. Highly recommended!
Published 2 years ago
Came across this place and have been back multiple times since. You will not regret getting any of the quesadillas or tacos! Recently tried the Quesabarilla (served Sundays only) and it was delicious. Looking forward to next Sunday to get it again! Friendly service and amazing prices
Published 2 years ago
Amazing food for great value. I'm very glad a coworker shared this gem.
Published 2 years ago
Published 2 years ago
Such a wonderful find! The friendliest staff and the most delicious food in town. New favorite spot!
Published 2 years ago
👍👌
Published 2 years ago
Me encanta lugares como este excelente sencillo pero excelente en todo
Published 2 years ago
Stopped by this place and wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was pretty dang good. It wasn’t expensive and they were quick! I got a couple of empanadas that tasted absolutely amazing. It’s a smaller place, but that just makes it kind of cozy. I’ll be sure to come back here.
Published 2 years ago
Published 2 years ago
Very good and affordable! DEFINITELY a cut above the usual Mexican fare in Auburn. Very fresh, beautiful presentation! No goopy sauces or limp lettuce. Space feels homey and welcoming. Right behind Mandarin House off Opelika Parkway. Try it! We’ll be back…
Published 2 years ago
Published 2 years ago
Published 2 years ago
Published 2 years ago
las mejores quesabirrias que he probado en usa
Published 2 years ago
Excelente servicio y muy rico para desayunar
Published 2 years ago
Excelente Servicio, muy rico el sazón Veracruzano, por qué solo Veracruz es bello
Published 2 years ago
Published 2 years ago
Staff was super friendly. Local gem located here. Tortillas appeared to be homemade and fresh! Light and fluffy. I tried the beef and cheese empanada. Superb! Tried all their street tacos. They were all delicious. Fresh toppings. Sauces were really nice. Definitely going back!
Published 2 years ago
Lets Taco Bout It!! Had the Al Pastor, Carnitas, and Steak Tacos for dinner with my wife there. The food was excellent, the atmosphere was clean & fresh, and the people were friendly & professional.
You should try it! I know we’ll be back.
Published 2 years ago
Really good food! The most authentic Al Pastor tacos I've had north of the border. Make sure you check out the daily specials not on the menu.
Published 2 years ago
Tocos very good!!!!!
Published 2 years ago
The food is good, the green sauce is very very spicy, the employees are very polite
Published 2 years ago
Best tacos. My boss and I love this place as they are delicious and so fresh. The chicken tacos and flan are amazing
Published 2 years ago
Excelente lugar para almorzar, lo recomiendo!
Published 2 years ago
We ordered several items on the menu and it was all delicious! My favorite is the carne picadas. You won’t be disappointed! We will definitely return!!
Published 3 years ago
We picked up dinner last night and it was delish ! I had the Chicken Taquitos and my husband had the Beef Taquitos. Both were fabulous and we will definitely be back. The lady working the cash register was kind and friendly and the restaurant appeared very clean and well kept.
Published 3 years ago
Delicious! Every bit of it and I ordered almost one of everything on the menu. The food did not sit heavy on our stomachs. The meat was perfect and not too oily, well seasoned. The tortillas were fresh and crispy. The service was outstanding. I am not a Spanish speaker at all and they were patient with me and did a wonderful job. I highly recommend. I will be traveling an hour away again, just to get this food. Oh and yes you do need to try the fried plantains loaded. I haven't had this in 2 decades and it did not disappoint.
Published 3 years ago
This is such a great place to enjoy authentic Mexican food 😋 and the atmosphere I relaxing and for the whole family.
Published 3 years ago
Ordered 1 of everything. Delicious and authentic! Will definitely be back. Stop in and show them some love. 👍🏼👍🏼
Published 3 years ago
Fantastic food, I highly recommend it! Extremely good service and the restaurant is very nice inside too, you can tell the owners take pride in their food and their establishment.
I ordered a tostada and two picadas to try as this was my first visit here. Everything was excellent, I ordered to go so I could not tell them how much I enjoyed the food and the flavor it had. Truly good food, I will absolutely eat here again and based on the food I ate the the food I saw being delivered to other tables I’m pretty sure I will like everything they make! Slight wait as everything was made fresh and the end result was well worth the wait of 5 minutes or so. The sauces you see on my food in the pictures were included in the to go bag also.
Service was also excellent, they were happy to help me choose what to try and make recommendations. Thank you very much, I’m very happy I decided to try this restaurant.
Published 3 years ago
The staff are very nice, make it a very welcoming experience, and the food is homemade and authentic.
Published 3 years ago
Published 3 years ago
La.comida más deliciosa de la ciudad
Published 3 years ago
Published 3 years ago
I’ve been looking for somewhere who has the perfect empanadas. I am American and growing up my best friends were Hispanic and I pretty much lived at their houses and became obsessed with their mamas empanada so it started becoming a regular treat for me when I would spend weekends or nights over. THESE EMPANADAS ARE OUTSTANDING! I will be back a million and one times :))
Published 3 years ago
Published 3 years ago
- 8 photos
- 86 reviews
- 4.9 rating
- Phone: +1 334-363-2051
- Website: http://elfarocafe-restaurante.com/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral
- Address: 10 Veterans Pkwy, Opelika, AL 36801, United States
- Coordinates: 32.6321387, -85.4366507
- Mexican restaurant
- Cafe
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 10 AM–8 PM
- Wednesday: 10 AM–7 PM
- Thursday: 10 AM–8 PM
- Friday: 10 AM–8 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM–2 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM–3 PM
- Identifies as Latino-owned: Yes
- Identifies as women-owned: Yes
- Kerbside pickup: Yes
- Takeaway: Yes
- Dine-in: Yes
- Delivery: Yes
- Great coffee: Yes
- Breakfast: Yes
- Lunch: Yes
- Dinner: Yes
- Solo dining: Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible car park: Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance: Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible seating: Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet: Yes
- Coffee: Yes
- Comfort food: Yes
- Quick bite: Yes
- Small plates: Yes
- Breakfast: Yes
- Lunch: Yes
- Dinner: Yes
- Dessert: Yes
- Toilets: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Casual: Yes
- Cosy: Yes
- Family friendly: Yes
- Tourists: Yes
- Accepts reservations: Yes
- Credit cards: Yes
- Debit cards: Yes
- Credit cards: Yes
- Good for kids: Yes
- Free of charge street parking: Yes
- Free parking lot: Yes
- Parking: Yes