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Sarapes Restaurant
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
29 reviews for Sarapes Restaurant
Review Highlights
"It's not much to look at, but the food is amazing."
(in 3 reviews)
"The staff is very friendly and accommodating as well."
(in 4 reviews)
"The owner makes her own salsa, too."
(in 5 reviews)
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29 reviews in English
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Review from Dan L.
Enfield, CT
The food is so good here. I fully intend to become a regular.
The restaurant itself isn't very nice looking and the parking lot blows big time, but the service is friendly and the food is delicious. I've traveled widely across Central and South America and this is the real deal. If you're expecting spicy or tex-mex style, go somewhere else.
Try the Milanesa - my favorite so far. -
Review from Eric F.
11/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
As inclined as I was to give this place at least 3 stars, the cost:quality ratio really isn't there. My friends and I came by for dinner on a chill Friday night and we had a number of different dishes among us including carne asada, tacos, flautas, chile rellenos and chicken quesadillas. The flavors were very good in general esp. the carne asada, but the textures were seriously lacking. My carne asada was on the tougher side and my friend's chile rellenos were outright soggy. The quesadillas were probably my favorite of everything I tried, but then again it's not exactly hard to pull those off...
My biggest issue was how much everything cost. $15-17 for each of our plates and 2/3 of it consists of rice and refried beans? Just...no. Quality authentic Mexican food can and should be had for so much less. -
Review from Lindsay M.
Sudbury, MA
7/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
All dressed up and ready to go to a fancy schmancy restaurant, my date and I just looked at each other. We were both craving Mexican food. So in my nice dress and heels we walked into this hole in the wall restaurant.
We sat in a little booth and were delivered fresh chips and cilantro and onion studded salsa. I ordered a Sangria and knew my date would eventually cave in. He had one too and we both agreed that it was some of the best sangria we had tasted. He ordered the mole enchiladas which looked fantastic. I had a combination plate with a crispy and flavorful taco, tostada and rice and beans. The guacamole was incredible. Made to order and I could have just ordered a huge bowl of that and chips and be a happy camper.
If you are ever in the area you need to try this place. -
Review from Jack D.
East Granby, CT
10/25/2011
Everything was dry and tasteless ... Try someplace else.
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Review from William C.
Agawam, MA
11/11/2011
Great mom and pop Mexican atmosphere. If you are looking to enter a Mexican Restaurant with cervesas from Mexico, horchata to drink, and chorizo y huevos.
The Lengua (cow tongue) is the best I ever ate. It was almost like beef chuck. -
Review from T. m D.
Hartford, CT
9/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
I frequent their Hartford location often - this place has great food but Hartford def is better food wise. This one is obviously in a safer neighborhood and staff was great and spoke fluent English which helps
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Review from Glenn M.
Wilbraham, MA
11/12/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Food = Good
Fruit Flies = More than i can handle.
Went here based on Yelp rating. The food was good, but pricey. The fruit flies were everywhere, yet free. I don't know where they were coming from, but i was swatting them endlessley for the entire meal. I was surprised that my server (i think owner) never mentioned a thing as i was swatting while conversing with her? I sampled a huge variety of what was on the menu and nothing was too remarkable. I came with an empty stomach and left with a full stomach, so mission accomplished. I wish i had more to say on a positive note, but not really.
Glenn. -
Review from Dan D.
Riva, MD
7/9/2011
Prepare to make an evening out of it!
We were in town for an event in Springfield. Heard of the this restaurant. When there is a small Mexican restaurant in a strip mall and it is very crowded, you know the food will be good.
We were seated after a bit and gave our orders.
15...30...45...60 minutes went by before we got our food. No one came back to ask if we wanted more chips or another round of margaritas. There were two waitresses and a cashier (who didn't speak English). People lining up to pay had to wait 10 - 15 minutes while the cashier tried to get to-go orders ready. I think the kitchen was VERY understaffed.
The food was very good. But not worth the wait. Again, waitress never came back to ask how the food was. Had to wait another 10 minutes after asking her for the check to actually get the check.
Food:5, service:1 = 3 overall -
Review from anne s.
Longmeadow, MA
10/9/2011
This is the real deal and not the junk served at the big chains. It's yummy Mexican comfort food using fresh ingredients. The restaurant has no atmosphere and is in an uninviting strip but ignore all of that and eat the delicious food.
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Review from Miss M.
Northampton, MA
4/10/2011 2 photos
I ate here for lunch today.
My boyfriend and I poured over the menu for at least 20 minutes before being able to order.
I got the combination plate #3; which included a pork tamale (my choice, I could have had chicken, and another choice... I forget what) , a chile relleño with cheese (my choice... I had different meat options) substituting a taco al pastor for the tostada.
It was amazing. Although, it was also $17 (rounding up slightly).
My boyfriend got the taco de lengua, and the Platillos de Oaxaqueno... you just have to get it for yourself in order to experience the awesome-ness!
The avocados, pico de gallo, limes and everything else was super fresh and the limeonada was ridiculously refreshing.
We drove from Northampton, MA to Enfield, CT because we love trying out new food places... we keep going back, because we love it!
Plus, since it was Sunday they had Pozole- I got 2 to go, along with a ceviche tosatada for friends who were back in the Pioneer Valley, drooling.
The service is a little meh, depending on who you get. The prices are sort of high compared to other places that I've visited, especially considering that it's attached to a dry cleaners, in Enfield, Connecticut.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Sarapes.
You are well worth the drive... considering the lack of really good Mexican food in the area. -
Review from Shane H.
4/12/2010 4 Check-ins Here
Driving by it, you may not even realize it's there, but stopping at Sarapes was a lucky decision when we finally did.
The waitstaff here are all great. My wife and I are on a first name basis with most of the folks who work here. They notice when we don't show up for a while.
As for the food, delicious and authentic. They have the typical fare for those of you craving tacos or burritos, and then they have the awesome food you may not have ever heard of before: puerco en pipian (pork in a scrumptious pumpkin seed sauce), menudo (traditional spicy tripe soup for the audacious), puerco con nopales (pork and cactus in a red sauce). It goes on. I recommend checking their specials board and asking as many questions as possible. The jaimaca fresca is recommendable too: a sweet hibiscus drink.
Bottom line, this is not some frilly, over the top, frozen-food-serving chain restaurant. This is just down to earth good Mexican food prepared and served by a proud hard working family in an unassuming location. -
Review from Amber T.
Northampton, MA
My favorite Mexican place EVER!!!! (and I've been to atleast 30 or so)
You can't go wrong with a veggie burrito & a side of guac/chips/salsa. -
Review from Shmuel C.
Springfield, MA
10/7/2010
I can't tell you just how much I enjoy coming here.
The food is fantastic, the service is friendly and warm, and the atmosphere authentic.
They'll even turn on the A/C if you ask them!
Try the guacamole! -
Review from Jessica M.
Ellington, CT
7/8/2011
Small hole-in-the-wall but the food is amazing!! Fresh cooked to order.
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Review from Alice R.
Chino Hills, CA
8/12/2010
A true gem in the middle-of-nowhere, Enfield.
Being from Southern California, I definitely didn't expect REAL Mexican food here! To my surprise, the food was fresh and authentic. The owner makes her own salsa, too! The staff is very friendly and accommodating as well. I love their steak burritos and enchiladas! -
Review from Michelle M.
Peabody, MA
8/31/2010
Food was soggy.... noo flavor in the meat -
Although the people there were very sweet and so helpful.... I have had better al pastor tacos. Rice and beans were good, but the tacos were so soggy, they broke and they were filled with grease... another disappointment in CT!! -
Review from Court J.
Enfield, CT
12/10/2010 1 photo
This place is super delicious. It's "real" Mexican and the waitstaff is super nice. And we called ahead because I only have a half an hour for lunch-they had set the table with tortilla chips and three salsas, and our food was ready too! My Carne Asado tacos were the bomb schnooka!!!
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Review from Chutney L.
Enfield, CT
Updated - 7/9/2011
I recently went to Sarapes on a Friday night and was a little disappointed. It took over an hour to get our food, they were out of all but one of their specials (approx 8), ran out of sangria and overall seemed unprepared for a typical crowd at 6:30 on a Friday night. On top of the long wait for food, there was a long line at the cash register. Although the food wasn't bad, the rest our our experience made us wish we had gone somewhere else. Hopefully this was just an off night.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/12/2011
While it is located in a rather unattractive strip mall type place, don't let this turn you away.… Read more »
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Review from Charles B.
Salem, MA
8/19/2010 3 photos
The best mexican food you can find in CT. Perhaps, New England, but that may be a stretch. Whats good here? I'd say my favorite are the tamales, which I can't find in most Mexican places. This place is defiantly authentic. Get it all, you will not be disappointed. Fair warning, this place is small, and parking is tight. but I highly recommend. It is head and shoulders above any restaurant in Enfield CT.
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Review from Collin S.
Windsor, CT
1/12/2011 18 Check-ins Here
Fantastic, no-frills Spanish food. I'm also a fan of Besito, and have heard the two places compared, but to a certain extent it's comparing apples and oranges. If you want a nice romantic dinner with drinks, Besito is a good option. However, if you are looking for a good solid lunch at the right price, Sarapes may be the best option in the area.
First, the service is excellent. I've encountered the same two employees each time I've been there, and both were very friendly. Service was fast and always with a smile.
Second, the food is just solid across the board. I usually get the tacos al pastor, and the meat is cooked perfectly with nice flavors. The guacamole is very good, creamy with just the right amount of spices. The burritos are excellent and rather large (a good deal for the price).
Overall, and excellent lunch option if you are in the Enfield area. There are tons of chain restaurants in the area, but at Sarapes you get better food, better service, and a better price. -
Review from Ed T.
Central Manchester, CT
8/12/2010
Superb Mexican cuisine. The ceviche tostadas are simply awesome. Service is very friendly. It's not much to look at, but the food is amazing!
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Review from Tiffany C.
Enfield, CT
8/2/2011
I had read the reviews and was really looking forward to having a nice low key dinner here. I can't even comment on the quality of the food because where I was seated I could see directly into the kitchen and by the time my food came out I couldn't stomach the thought of eating anything that came from there. As the meal went on the fruit flies that overcame our table were overwhelming. I would of asked to have my meal taken off the bill or complained about the cleanliness but the woman that waited on us barely spoke any english. I really wanted to love this place, but it was too dirty for me to even consider eating the food.
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Review from Celeste A.
Springfield, MA
5/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great food! Best tamalies in western mass/ ct. Kitchen is slow tonight. This is my third time here and this never happened before. Guess the word is getting out about the food!
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Review from Read W.
Cambridge, MA
10/6/2008
Really really good.
Minimal vegetarian options, which I take as a sign of authenticity. I do eat seafood and there are a number of interesting-looking seafood options, but I felt like northern Mexican / Tex-Mex, so I ordered chili relleno & a cheese enchilada. Both were among the best I've had. Very tasty, authentic (thin, vinegary) pico de gallo with the thick (though not house-made) tortilla chips, and a hot sauce brought (you might have to ask for it) with the food that was smokey (I assume from chipotles) and not crazy-gringo hot so you could put enough on the food to taste and not just feel it. Enormous portions, very friendly waitress. I was in town on business and I'm sorry I'm unlikely to be back (though I understand there's a sister restaurant in Hartford).
They could use a better-lit sign at night; they're next door (south) to the Plymouth dealership. -
Review from Lauren L.
Colchester, CT
8/27/2010
I just got back from a lunch with some coworkers. If I wasn't told about Sarapes, I never would have chosen it! As the other reviewers said, the food here is authentic mexican.
Outside: in a strip mall, next to a laundrymat... not much to look at. If you can't find parking in front, park to the side of the building. Inside is relatively small, but it has some fun mexican decór.
If you come - at least during lunch - don't expect to be seated. Find an open table and claim it.
Our lunch started with chips and salsa... 3 kinds of salsa. The salsa fresca had a very, very good flavor, with large chunks of tomato and onion. The green salsa was spicy, and the orange/red salsa wasn't spicy, but had a smoked flavor. I liked mixing and matching the two, and we ended up putting the latter two salsa on some of our food.
I ordered the cheese chile relleno. It was BIG, battered and fried, and filled with a real tropical cheese. The chile was very mild; I was hoping for spicy, but still enjoyed it because the flavor was so good. It came with rice and beans, both of which were yummmmmmy. One friend ordered a burrito with meat in it. Again, the burrito was HUGE and beautifully presented. It had sour cream and an avocado cream drizzled on top. She said it was delicious. Another friend ordered a cheese enchillada and a tomal. She said everything was delicious. Although we were all full halfway through our meals, we couldn't put our forks down.
I'm definitely returning to try other food.
Note - the prices on their website are not accurate. We didn't receive a lunch menu, and I paid $12.99+tx for my chile. The enchillada/tomal combo was also $12.99 and the burrito was $9.99. I did notice that they serve mexican breakfast burritos during lunch, which also looked delicious.
They do not have fountain drinks, but have a cooler filled with an assortment of sodas, juices, beer, and I noticed a sangria bottle on a shelf.
The only reason I gave this 4 stars is that the atmospher could be improved, and I was afraid to ask for my dish to be customized because of the language barrier. I may opt to update once I've been there a few times. -
Review from Andrea B.
Longmeadow, MA
7/18/2010
The best Mexican food I've had outside of Mexico. Try the mole and the tamales. If you are fortunate enough to be there on a Sat. or Sunday they have pezole that's great. You would not expect a little place in strip mall to have food this wonderful!!
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Review from Robert C.
Manchester, CT
11/30/2009
Sarapes is absolutely the best Mexican restaurant I've been to. My wife and I like it so much we had dinner there on our wedding day, and it was the first restaurant we brought our daughters to when they were infants. It's not much to look at, and it's too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter, but the food is great.
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Review from Don P.
East Longmeadow, MA
9/6/2010
This is your down home remember Grandma and Mom's cooking type place. When you see such items as Pozole, Menudo and Suiza on the menu you know it doesn't get much more authentic. I ordered the Suiza Con Queso con Salsa Verde absolutely out of the park! The Salsa Verde was tart and very flavorful providing a wonderful counter balance to the rich cheeses used in this dish. Awesome folks! The rice and re- fried beans are not your ordinary fair but burst with all the flavor Mexico has to offer. If you crave authentic Mexican food this place should be at or near the top of your list.
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Review from Matt P.
Kīhei, HI
5/30/2007
First off, i'm white and have only eaten in a *real* mexican restaurant at Cesar's in Tijuana. With those caveats, I love the place. I've been there 6 or 8 times and had great food and service every time. The burritos are large and perfect with sauce drizzled with care over the top, the Mole Poblano Chicken is just right sweet and spicy and the Platillo Oaxaqueno with pumpkin is downright tasty. The reason for no five stars? Rather an esoteric one, it's about the meat really, they seem to use the same meats for almost every dish. The steak (beef) is a thin flank steak and when added to a burrito is simply chopped and can be dry, (I sense leftover) and the chicken is the same, a thin slice of breast meat. I was just in there yesterday entertaining out of town family and they did say for the Mole poblano chicken there was bone in chicken availible. I would love if they used the whole chicken and left the bones in and it would be better for us and cheaper for them. I haven't been to the other Mex restauants in town but the Mole and the Modelo Negro will keep me coming back.
