el trio mexican grill

carnitas el trio. ridiculously tender, very tasty. the fat made it extra yum.

there are several flavors of self-proclaimed "authentic" mexican restaurants floating around cincinnati, and if there existed a geiger counter measuring the accuracy of such labels, el trio mexican grill would likely fall squarely between fully americanized and "mucho authentico" extremes. el trio, located near mariemont on wooster pike, rests in a strip mall that has been for years the site of a number of struggling restaurants. but the little area seems to be making a comeback, now boasting three solid eateries, including mango tree thai and magic wok. superficially, el trio seems like any other tex-mex restaurant in town. you're greeted at the door with the obligatory "welcome, amigos," then escorted down a short flight of stairs to the main, recessed dining area of tables and booths. at about the moment the server places the complimentary chips and salsa in front of you is when you'll start to notice some key differences. in addition to the salsa, a c

i have an unhealthy love of mexican food - but hey - is it unhealthy if i admit it? my friend kelly & her beau decided i needed to try el trio mexican. it's in mariemont in the strip mall near the flipdaddys. we started with chips & salsa - as is the case at every cincinnati mexican restaurant. to my surprise we also got bean dip and i'm glad we did. this stuff is awesome. no salsa for me - i just killed the bean dip. margaritas were a must-have - and don't they look fun?! fruit and a big huge blue straw - how can you go wrong? sapan went for a wild choice - the chori burrito - and i have to say - we were jealous. this burrito is stuffed with steak and grilled onions - then covered with cheese sauce, chorizo and pico. he let me have a bite and wow - it was delicious! i had just had something with chorizo at mazunte and it was so delicious - i'm now a fan.  kelly got a taco salad - it looked pretty ordinary and after she tasted sapan's - she was a little jealous too! i was in the mood for seafood and got the enchiladas camaron (shrimp). i knew as soon as i'd ordered that i should have gotten cheese sauce instead of red sauce. i'm just not a fan - this was covered in salsa poblano, sour cream and avocado. it was fine - fairly light - which is good - so many times mexican is super-heavy (like that chori-burrito!). the shrimp was good - didn't love the rice - pretty bland and a little overcooked. why should you go? i don't think it was anything special to go out of the way for - but if you're in the area - it's a good option. the bean dip and the chori burrito were the highlights for sure.

nothing homeade about it. i went to el trio because i am always in search of good mexican food here, i have been to every one in cincinnati and nky. i admit i was hesitant because even though the reviews were good, i know enough about cincinnati to know that the people from the mariemont/terrace park area tend to stay in their area, and people don't usually travel there from other parts of the city for restaurants (i was correct, based on the clientele when i went).
the service was pretty non existent (not that you go for mexican for the service), but the hostess and server pretty much asked questions as they were walking away and you're trying to flag them down. not rude, just like they didn't care.
it was filled with screaming kids (i have kids, i don't mind kids at all in restaurants, but i would never let mine carry on like they were at a ballgame).
chips were stale, salsa was typical jar picante, and a weird gravy which was probably a mix with water added. i ordered the spinach and shrimp chimichanga, the spinach was clearly a bag of frozen green giant squeezed into it, and 5 shrimp that were obviously frozen and microwaved. gross, even my husband look at it said isn't that frozen spinach? he ordered enchiladas, they had zero taste, were tiny, and the beans were from a can.
i would never go back and not suggest it to anyone either, i'm sure they do well because people who live in mariemont support it.
my recommendations for good mexican here are-
la mexicana in newport (freshest, small menu, most authentic around, small place, best salsa anywhere)
mazunte on red bank (gourmet oxacan, not typical, but very good and all homemade)
cazadores in mason ( authentic, very tasty, more basic mexican, large menu, but very very good, order the table side guac)
taqueria yolandita (a food truck off queen city, heavy, authentic and awesome, but you sit in your car and eat)
taqueria mercado downtown is pretty good if i can't get to my first choices
nada is good fancy mexican-ish, more of a bar scene

i definitely would not eat here, i worked in restaurants for many years, this food is all frozen, prepackaged from a food purveyor and heated up.

while i am not mexican, i have lived in southern texas and crossed into mexico for authentic mexican food.
i think this is my favorite mexican restaurant in cincinnati...they offer cuisines that are not usually offered at other mexican restaurants. and, the salsa bar (particularly the bean dip) is great!
i have come a few times and the people who work there are very attentive and helpful...they have great lunch specials that go on later than other restaurants.
there is ample parking and is definitely worth trying if you are craving for mexican food!

good food and service!. we were pleasantly pleased-excellent salsas of 2 types, filling, and great, rapid service. i would dine there again-i had a fajita styled meal with chicken, mushrooms, cheese with tortillas. the enchllada and chimichanga were right on target for my wife. thumbs up!

a great mexican restaurant!. it's really refreshing to get really good and, it seems, authentic mexican fare without paying a fortune. el trio's menu is a welcome change from the same old mexican restaurant clones you find now-days in the suburbs. we always have a good time when we visit. if it's not from the numerous unique choices of salsa at the salsa bar it's the delicious varieties of meaty mexican foods like tender carnitas that don't necessarily come stuffed in a big flour tortilla! this place is the real deal for a relaxing mexican meal on the east side.

excellent. very friendly, good service, love the salsa bar. food is very good. the three brothers take pride in their food. place is always clean and presentable.

price is reasonable, better with a coupon. food has always been delivered fast . very nice place for family dinner

i go for the salsas. not the best, but certainly on my short list of mexican places (and it is a very short list.) some unusual offerings that are very good, and some staples that should be good disappoint. i go for the unusual offerings of salsas. pumpkin seed, smoked chipotle, and so many others i have never seen before. i could drink this stuff!!! they could/should bottle and sell this stuff. always friendly service makes me come back.

great food & great service. i am a hard to please mexican food eater that moved here from texas. after finding el trio, i can no longer say that cincinnati doesn't do mexican right. we love el trio! the food is great, well priced, and the service is fantastic. we also love the salsa bar that they offer. everything we have tried so far has been great. i especially like the chicken tamales. you can't go wrong here!!

great place! affordable, tasty, amazing service. the salsa bar there is delicious - check out the tomatillo salsa, i couldn't get enough! :)

good value / decent food. definitely recommend. the place is friendly, clean, the service is good, the portions are large & the price is quite reasonable. (two can eat dinner for $20.) we will go back again. great for a laid back date night & a movie @ the nearby theatre!