There are plenty of restaurants to and from Yankton, SD, but El Tapatio and Mexico Viejo are guaranteed to be here to stay.
If you ask a group of Yankton people which restaurant they like the most, you’ll probably get a 50/50 answer. People who have had both restaurants seem to be loyal to their favorite place.
Fresh food, authentic family recipes and prompt service, El Tapatio promises that and more. Both have a variety of Mexican dishes ranging from fajitas to chimichangas, steak to seafood, even vegetarians to meat lovers.
Former Mexico Viejo employee Yali Gomez said, “I think I like El Tapatio better because of how more authentic the aroma of their food seems. Also, their options for Mexican food are among the things a Mexican would cook and not try to make it sweet but also spicy.
It’s quite interesting to hear that Gomez prefers the opposing restaurant over the restaurant she’s been loyal to for years.
“I like El Tapatio better because there are more options on the menu and a bit better quality than Mexico Viejo in my opinion, they’re both good,” Tyler Kraft said. “Whenever someone asks if we should get El Tapatio or Mexico Viejo, I’m always neutral on the answer. I am not opposed to receiving any type of Mexican food.
As mentioned earlier, the number of loyal customers at both locations is about equal and they are both restaurant loyal, and some people also like both restaurants and will eat at either location.
“People won’t go hungry here,” Maria, owner of El Tapatio, said with a smile. “We like that our customers leave satisfied.”
El Tapatio has locations in Dell Rapids and Brandon, South Dakota. The owners also own an Azteca Mexican restaurant in Sioux Falls.
“Mexico Viejo is better in my opinion because I think their fries and salsa are better and their white queso is better, but El Tapatio has better service in my opinion,” said Patrick Ryken. “They both have good serve. Their food is better for me, I always get chimichangas from both places and I like Mexico Viejo’s chimichangas better.”
In addition to the main portions of Mexico Viejo, they offer a lunch menu with smaller portions, cheap prices, and quick turnaround times for lunch break locals.
It’s safe to say that both restaurants will be staying in Yankton for quite some time, thanks to the authentic Mexican ingredients and generous portions.