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El Cajelito Mexican Restaurant and Bar

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A family-run eatery in Cherokee, NC, serving handcrafted Mexican cuisine with a focus on fresh ingredients and a welcoming atmosphere.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

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El Cajelito Mexican Restaurant and Bar

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A family-run eatery in Cherokee, NC, serving handcrafted Mexican cuisine with a focus on fresh ingredients and a welcoming atmosphere.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Friendly service, great value, and delicious Mexican food make El Cajelito a must-visit spot!"

TIP

Recommended Lunch Specials

Consider lunch #2 or lunch #12 for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Don't Miss the Guacamole

The Guacamole Mexicano is a refreshing and tasty starter that diners highly recommend.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 11AM

Cuisine

Mexican

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(828) 506-1888

Address

1681 Acquoni Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719, USA

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Mexican Cuisine

Authentic Mexican Cuisine

Family-run eatery serving original, handcrafted Mexican dishes with a focus on the finest ingredients.

17 Best Restaurants In Cherokee, NCPlan a Day (or More) in Cherokee, NC and Experience
Standout Guacamole

Standout Guacamole

The guacamole is praised for being tasty and refreshing, a must-try according to many diners.

Google Review
Friendly and Attentive Service

Friendly and Attentive Service

Diners consistently highlight the kind, helpful, and friendly staff who make the dining experience enjoyable.

Google Review+2
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

📍Visita “El Jacalito” en Teapa, un rincón de memorias y deliciosa comida. #teapa #tabasco #fyp #parati #RevistaRutasMagicas #Mexico
@revistarutasmagicas
154 likes • 5.8K views

Recommended Lunch Specials

Consider lunch #2 or lunch #12 for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Don't Miss the Guacamole

The Guacamole Mexicano is a refreshing and tasty starter that diners highly recommend.

Worth the Drive

If you're in the Bryson City area, El Cajelito is worth the drive for its quality Mexican food.

Buffet Bar Available

Explore the buffet bar for a variety of taco fillings and other unique offerings.

Tips

from all over the internet

Recommended Lunch Specials

Consider lunch #2 or lunch #12 for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Don't Miss the Guacamole

The Guacamole Mexicano is a refreshing and tasty starter that diners highly recommend.

Worth the Drive

If you're in the Bryson City area, El Cajelito is worth the drive for its quality Mexican food.

Buffet Bar Available

Explore the buffet bar for a variety of taco fillings and other unique offerings.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

El Cajelito offers authentic, handcrafted Mexican cuisine with friendly and attentive service, making it a standout in the Cherokee area. While some dishes like the beans and rice may be inconsistent, the guacamole and a majority of the main courses receive high praise. It's a recommended spot for those seeking good value and a pleasant dining experience, especially when compared to other local options.

"Found this yummy gem while sightseeing! I got lunch #2, burrito and rice both were delicious and the boyfriend got lunch #12 he kept saying how yummy it was. Service was awesome everyone was friendly. our waitress was on point! She kept our drinks full and read my mind about needing cheese on my burrito. Highly recommend!!"

Katelyn Mcswain

"First time eating here. The place is a little run down. The ladies bathroom was bad. The waitress first brought us chips and salsa and 1 tiny bowl to put it in. Most places give each person a small bowl to pour your salsa in. I asked for another bowl and didn't get it until later when our plates were served. I ordered the lunch #1. A crispy taco, enchilada, beans and rice. The taco was lying in enchilada sauce and was a sobbing wet and limp taco shell! The enchilada had no flavor. Rice was also not very good. Husband had a chicken burito that looked good, but he said the chicken was very tough. The waitress never checked on us again. We even waited for the check, went to the bathroom, still no check. Finally went to register and he said I guess you got no check. He was correct. He was very nice, but we will not return."

Childress Properties

"Me and my Wife came here on March 26th (our 24th Anniversary) & we didn't leave disappointed at least. The food was pretty decent but the Beans were undercooked & the Rice was very clumpy. I would recommend the Guacamole Mexicano though. It was real tasty & refreshing."

Todd Wyatt

What People Like

Authentic Mexican flavors
Friendly and attentive service
Great value for money

What People Dislike

Inconsistent preparation of sides (beans, rice)
Occasional blandness in some dishes
Restaurant ambiance/decor could be improved

Frequently Asked Questions

Diners highly recommend the Guacamole Mexicano. Lunch specials #2 and #12 are also popular choices.

Google Review+1

Yes, El Cajelito has a full vegetarian menu available.

Plan a Day (or More) in Cherokee, NC and Experience

The restaurant is family-run and has a welcoming atmosphere, making it suitable for families.

17 Best Restaurants In Cherokee, NC

The ambiance is generally described as good and the vibes are positive, though some reviews mention the place could be a bit run down.

Google Review+1

Yes, it's considered worth the drive, especially if you're in the Bryson City area, as it stands out from other local options.

Google Review

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holidaydons.com

17 Best Restaurants In Cherokee, NC

One of Cherokee, North Carolina’s greatest spots to enjoy Mexican food is El Cajelito Mexican Restaurant and Bar. The greatest ingredients are used to make the original and handcrafted Mexican cuisine served at this restaurant. Tacos al pastor, beef and bean burritos, chicken and steak nachos, and more dishes are available at this family-run Mexican eatery.

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Kidding Around Greenville

Plan a Day (or More) in Cherokee, NC and Experience

For dinner, we chose El Cajelito, which was near the main attractions in Cherokee. We liked that they had plenty of choices, including a full vegetarian menu, and our meal was delicious.

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