El Rio Restaurant

I heard its open, has anyone ate there? How's the food?

It doesn't matter how good their food is or quality of service
The owners aren't from here and the good proud people of Carthage won't support them because they feel "tool good" or better than the "outsiders"
That's why Carthage is drying up
Look what we've had in the past and lost (theatre , 3 new car dealerships, drive in, and numerous grocery and restaurants) why are they gone?
I feel truly sorry for anyone that wastes time and effort with a business here

Curious wrote:

I heard its open, has anyone ate there? How's the food?

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could just get an answer to your question????

I ate there when it first opened...The staff was nice but I wasnt impressed with the food at all. I think I am going to stick with El Rey :)

El corral over in gville is da bomb!

I tried El rio. Heard the saying? If you dont have anything good to say about something..........Maybe your experience will be different.

what what wrote:

El corral over in gville is da bomb!

I agree Gordonsville Mexican restaurant is best out of the 3 in Smith County.

I've only eaten at the Gordonsville site but I have to say I was very pleased with the food and service. Unfortunately, I've never eaten at either of the others.

The people were great but the food was mediocre. The tortilla chips and corn shells were stale. Possible opening week snafus. will give them another chance. I liked El Corral but they changed the ground beef recipe.
I am new to Carthage, and I really want to do everything I can to encourage business development here. I like the place and would like to see a return to better days. I always try to find things I need in Smith County before buying elsewhere. I want to try and spend my money as locally as I can.
Just my 2 cents.

Konradr wrote:

The people were great but the food was mediocre. The tortilla chips and corn shells were stale. Possible opening week snafus. will give them another chance. I liked El Corral but they changed the ground beef recipe.
I am new to Carthage, and I really want to do everything I can to encourage business development here. I like the place and would like to see a return to better days. I always try to find things I need in Smith County before buying elsewhere. I want to try and spend my money as locally as I can.
Just my 2 cents.

If only more people tried to support local businesses the town would thrive again.

I ate there and it was delicious! I wish their credit card machine would work, but they have a new machine now. Really nice ppl.

I had only seen negative reports about it on facebook, that the food was bland, so I was cautious to try it. We have eaten there twice and it was anything but bland. The chips could be better. Highly recommend if you try dessert to get the cheesecake chimi...delicious! The came to the table several times both trips were ate there to make sure everything was too our liking. Give them a try, if you don't like it, you don't have to go back

Same here. Read stuff on fb but wanted to try for myself. Our meal was excellent. Glad the machine is working again. Large portions and very good. Staff was very pleasant and timely with everything.Will go back for sure.

Konradr wrote:

The people were great but the food was mediocre. The tortilla chips and corn shells were stale. Possible opening week snafus. will give them another chance. I liked El Corral but they changed the ground beef recipe.
I am new to Carthage, and I really want to do everything I can to encourage business development here. I like the place and would like to see a return to better days. I always try to find things I need in Smith County before buying elsewhere. I want to try and spend my money as locally as I can.
Just my 2 cents.

Had el corral today and yes they changed the beef recipe. It is way too hot. Won't be going back unless they change it back.:-(

Ate there last night it was yummy

Good food!

Eaten there several times. Chips are better now than opening wk. Chimichangas and enchilados are better than el rey, in my opinion. The cheesecake dessert is the bomb. The owner is very nice. He worked several yrs in a steakhouse in Boston. Going to start serving steaks b4 long. Good fish on Fri nights.

People that said it was good needs to kill themselves it was horrible we couldn't even finish our plates

Im confused as to exactly what type of restaurant el rio is. The name obviously suggests mexican food. Their advertisements on the calendars the ball teams sell says that they're a steak and seafood restaurant. Ive seen them advertise outside in their sign and windows that they have all u can eat catfish plus an american buffet... wtf? Is the owner schizophrenic?