Business Details
About
RestaurantMexican Restaurant
El Charrito’s Helena’s Original Restaurante' was opened in 1969 by Urbano and Maria Villarreal, who then passed it down to Helen Villarreal. Today, the restaurant is owned by Helen’s son and his wife, Javan and Tiffany Tijerina. Since 1969, we have used the same family homemade recipes. Our attentive service, welcoming ambiance and authentic flavors have earned us the distinction of being voted the “Best Restaurant in Lapeer” two years in a row by the County Press. We were voted best Mexican Restaurant in Davison since 2009 by the Davison index! Come visit us today for lunch or dinner. We have daily luncheon specials until 4 p.m., and party pans are available for small or large events. Come & Enjoy With Friends And Families! Visit us today!
Location
El Charrito's-Helena's Original Restaurante
203 North Main Street, Davison, MI
48423, United States
Hours
Reviews
4.0
886 reviews
5 stars
475
4 stars
180
3 stars
65
2 stars
50
1 star
116
What are people saying?
AI-generated from recent customer reviews
Service Issues
Customers frequently reported slow service and long wait times, with some experiencing neglect from staff.
Food Quality
Mixed reviews on food quality; some praised specific dishes while others criticized the use of canned ingredients and excessive salt.
Pricing Concerns
Many customers found the prices to be high relative to portion sizes and quality, with complaints about non-complementary chips and salsa.
Atmosphere
The restaurant's atmosphere received positive remarks, but some noted issues with temperature and lighting.
Staff Friendliness
While some reviews highlighted friendly and attentive staff, others reported negative experiences with certain servers.
- MMMaria2 days ago5.0The restaurant is located across the street from The old location. GPS directions are not correct n people who are not familiar in Davision, may be lost . Same street Main St. BUT ACRoss the street from the OLD LOCATION!
- LELisa E.5 days ago5.0This is my happy place! Best Mexican food I’ve ever had. The servers are absolutely fantastic, very friendly. I go at least once a week lol. I’m going today, actually lol. I love this place!
- DRDavid ReidDec 28, 20251.0I showed up with friends last Friday. Walked in and the place was less than half full. Receptionist said it would be a 45 minute wait until a table large enough for our party of 6 could be seated. The place was full of empty tables and chairs. There was plenty of room to put two tables together. "Are the tables bolted to the floor?" I asked. "No but we cannot move tables". We took our business elsewhere. Spent over $200 at a nice alternative. Guess El Charito's doesn't care about business.
- DHDoug HammondDec 24, 20254.0Great restaurant. I highly recommend the dry beef and bean burrito with lettuce tomato and onion so good with the stewed beef! Only thing I think could be improved is too much salt is on the food. For example the bean burritos have an INSANE amount of salt. Same for the salsa. I know salty food is the trademark of Genesee county but I believe by backing down on the salt content, preferably using sea salt which add minerals to the body instead of table salt which take minerals out of the body, would get you closer to the ratings you're looking for and would be much healthier and tastier.
- NNNessaDec 20, 20253.0After having tried the new El Cozumel, then the new El Charritos, El Cozumel wins. El Charritos left much to be desired. -The menu was confusing. Street Tacos were pictured on the front of the menu but weren’t listed until the middle of the back page. -We got free salsa, but the chips were not free (odd, right?) -No drink napkins were provided. -We arrived as soon as the restaurant opened, yet a pile of salt was sitting on our table when we were seated. Please clean the tables before opening. -The lighting was dim on the south side of the dining room. Pendants over the tables would’ve solved this. -Food was overpriced and underwhelming. The taquitos were made with canned chicken. No sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, beans or rice were included with this $17 meal. Overall, there are many improvements needed before I will choose El Charritos over it’s local competitor.
Frequently Asked Questions About El Charrito's-Helena's Original Restaurante
What is the history of El Charrito's-Helena's Original Restaurante?
El Charrito’s Helena’s Original Restaurante was opened in 1969 by Urbano and Maria Villarreal and has been family-run since, now owned by Helen's son and his wife, maintaining the same homemade recipes.
What type of cuisine does El Charrito's-Helena's Original Restaurante serve?
El Charrito's is a Mexican restaurant known for its authentic flavors and homemade family recipes.
Where is El Charrito's-Helena's Original Restaurante located?
El Charrito's is located at 201 Mill Street, Davison, MI 48423, USA.
What are the opening hours of El Charrito's-Helena's Original Restaurante?
They are open from Tuesday to Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and closed on Monday and Sunday.
What payment options are accepted at El Charrito's?
They accept American Express, Cash, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa.
Does El Charrito's offer any specials or catering options?
Yes, they have daily luncheon specials until 4 p.m. and party pans available for small or large events.
How can I contact El Charrito's-Helena's Original Restaurante?
You can call them at +1 810-658-9308 or email at ttijerina1550@charter.net. Visit their website at http://www.elcharritos.com for more information.
What nearby wellness and massage services are close to El Charrito's?
Nearby massage and wellness options include The Relaxation Station LLC, Nonies Therapeutic Massage, Vigorous Wellness Massage, Woman At The Well Massage, and Wallace Charles Ross chiropractic and naturopathic services.
Which nearby establishments could enhance my visit to El Charrito's for a full day experience?
You can visit The Davison Hotel nearby for accommodation or drinks, enjoy shopping at My Thyme Boutique or Gloria's Bodywear Boutique, or relax at Chromatic Society Salon and Village Hair Parlor before or after your meal.
Are there nearby dining options or places to explore close to El Charrito's?
Yes, other nearby restaurants include Belva Bar and Restaurant for American cuisine and Bear Soup Deli, in addition to the nearby Downtown Davison area for events and historic sites.