Festive cantina serving Mexican & Southwestern faves, from tacos & margaritas to happy-hour tapas. Based on 616 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.4 stars. Price $$
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Curbside pickup ✔️ No-contact delivery
Address:
465 Madison Ave, Albany, NY 12210
Phone: (518) 436-1855
Social Profile: 
Hours
| Monday
(Labor Day)
|
3:30–8:30 PM
Hours might differ
|
| Tuesday | 11:30 AM–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 11:30 AM–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 11:30 AM–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 11:30 AM–8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 11:30 AM–8:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Menu
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Menu Photos
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Reviews
Saif
It’s mid. Maybe not “the most authentic” or “best tasting” Mexican/Latin cuisine in Albany, but it’s okay. $17 for 3 plain tacos is a bit much but at least the ingredients were fresh. I was hoping it would at least be on the level of Viva Cinco de Mayo, but was a bit disappointed. I feel like Viva and Oaxaquena Triqui were both done dirty by not even getting mentioned in the Times Union ranking. However, outdoor seating is nice and the staff were friendly.
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Samantha Herriot
The best Mexican food I have ever eaten! Great Margaritas which were authentic and strong, not a huge goblet of sweet and sour mix. The Tamales were our favourite, delicious flavour and texture and great side dishes. Big portions, amazing staff, reasonable price and great flavour!
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N R
Amazing place with nice decor and very friendly staff. The food is good and the price is reasonable. We ordered the nachos which was huge and two of us couldn’t finish it. The tacos were good as well.
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marie. m.
The food is great. Portions are large, so much so that a single burrito will fill you up so don’t let your eyes be bigger than your stomach.
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Zackary Forest
The only reason it goes from 1 to 2 stars is due to the good atmosphere and fine service. The good looking atmosphere drew us in, but the food is legitimately the worst Mexican food I’ve ever had at a Mexican restaurant. The beef tacos remind me of Taco Bell except I’m paying x3 the price. The tortillas were lukewarm and overly thin, beef poorly seasoned, and cheese looking like the cheap supermarket shredded type and cold. The black bean soup seems to be a can of seasoned black beans mashed and warmed up in a cup. The chips/nachos are what you’d expect from a sports bar (although at least reasonably priced). Both my sister and I felt our stomachs turning somewhat as we left.
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Mark Hammond
I was living in Albany in 1983 when El Loco first opened, and it was a favorite eatery until 1995 when I left the city. On a recent Albany visit, I was delighted to find El Loco is today every bit as delicious as I recall — if not better. She got the Fantasticos nachos; I went with the Burrito Grande – both huge and amazingly delish with shredded beef, not hamburger meat. The blue corn bread muffin was a super tasty bonus. 5 stars all around for the food, ambiance and staff – a great trip down burrito memory lane!
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Joseph Glazer
For more than 25 years, El Loco has served tremendous food with a smart and present wait staff.
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Ezra Anderson
I’m not sure why this place has as many stars as it does.. the only reason I’m giving it 2 stars is because I was able to eat 1 and a half tacos. but don’t get me wrong.. i didn’t enjoy it. I paid $16 for 3 tacos (pictured) and I swear I don’t know how they pass this off as authentic Mexican.. If I wanted a bland taco with Walmart ingredients I could have done it myself. I should have gone to Taco bell and gotten better quality for so much less. Has the be the LEAST authentic Mexican food in Albany.
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Stephen Ing
Beautiful atmosphere and great staff. Expect food with big portions full of flavor. El Loco partners comfort and gourmet into their own Mexican cuisine. Drinks at the bar give a good selection for your night.
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Melissa Laws
I honestly used to love El Loco. They have some of the yummiest appetizers, great shareable dishes and a killer happy hour menu. But I have been really disappointed with their food and service the last couple times I went there. My mom and I went on cinco de mayo and although my food was good, my mom’s wasn’t. She ordered a quesadilla and the outside wasn’t even grilled. When she discussed this with the waitress, she stated that they don’t grill those ones (not sure why). Regardless, this is a popular and trendy spot with some pretty good drinks with a nice outdoor seating area. I’m willing to come back despite the noticeable changes.
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