El Barrio

2211 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203, United States
+1 205-868-3737
$$$ Mexican restaurant
(1926 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

Welcome to El Barrio, a vibrant Mexican restaurant nestled in the heart of Birmingham, Alabama. Situated at 2211 2nd Ave N, this eatery proudly showcases the lively and colorful cuisine of Mexico, inviting guests to embark on a culinary adventure that is as rich in flavor as it is in culture.

The moment you step inside El Barrio, you're greeted by a lively atmosphere filled with the sounds of laughter and the sizzle of freshly prepared dishes. The decor embodies a charming blend of traditional and contemporary Mexican influences, creating a warm, inviting space where family and friends can gather to enjoy a meal together.

El Barrio's menu is a treasure trove of tantalizing options, and you won’t want to miss the Spicy Chicken Tostada. This dish features a crisp tostada topped with perfectly spiced chicken tossed in their signature arbol chili hot sauce, paired beautifully with guacamole, fresh bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and toasted pecans, all drizzled with house herb crema. It’s a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate for just US$16.00.

For those seeking plant-based options, the Vegan Tostada delivers with an array of grilled seasonal vegetables, refried black beans, and crispy plantains, making it a delightful choice for vegetarians and vegans alike.

No meal at El Barrio would be complete without indulging in their signature Margarita Mix. Made with freshly squeezed ingredients and mixed daily, these margaritas are the perfect complement to any dish. Whether you choose to sip on the classic version or one of their unique daily specials, you're in for a treat.

While the food speaks volumes, some customers have noted that the space can get a bit crowded, making for a lively yet chaotic dining experience. As Matthias Mueller points out, the open design can lead to a noisy ambiance, but the vibrant energy is part of El Barrio's charm. Despite a few mentions of portion sizes being on the smaller side, the overall consensus is that the food is consistently flavorful and enjoyable. Customers like Kathleen Bunt have praised the restaurant for its attentiveness to dietary restrictions, underscoring their commitment to making every diner feel welcome and catered to.

In addition to dining in, El Barrio offers a friendly staff that ensures your visit is nothing short of delightful. With a dedicated service team and a welcoming vibe, many patrons, like Peewee Payton, have shared their excitement to return, eager to explore more of the menu offerings and vibrant atmosphere.

So, whether you’re looking for a quick bite with friends or a memorable dining experience to kick off a night out in Birmingham, El Barrio is definitely worth a visit. With its authentic Mexican flavors and inviting environment, it’s the perfect spot to satisfy your cravings and make wonderful memories with loved ones!

Call them at +1 205-868-3737 to check on wait times or special events!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Offers kerbside pickup
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Serves great coffee
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves happy-hour food
Serves healthy options
Serves late-night food
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Transgender safe space
Popular with university students
Planning
Usually has a wait
Doesn't accept reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
High chairs available
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Somewhat difficult to find a space
Openings Hours
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Monday

11:30 AM - 8:00 PM

Tuesday

11:30 AM - 8:00 PM

Wednesday

11:30 AM - 8:00 PM

Thursday

11:30 AM - 8:00 PM

Friday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Saturday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Sunday

Closed

1926 Reviews
Alex

18 Sep 2025

To start, parking is very hard to find (unless you pay) but location is great. Went on a Friday night, took us right in. However we were not expecting to share a table. It was a bit noisy and crowded in there, felt claustrophobic. Staff was nice, decent price for food, clean environment. Food was just okay. We both agreed it’s nothing special but we did enjoy our time. (We had cheese dip, beer, bacon quesadilla, and steak tacos)

Matthias Mueller

28 Aug 2025

Food and service was great. The atmosphere is nice, but a bit noisy due to the openness of the restaurant. The only negative I have about the food is the small portion size. And you need to order salsa as none is brought to the table automatically as in many restaurants with Mexican inspired cuisine. The bar is inviting and they also have daily specials that sound delicious.

Kathleen Bunt

10 Aug 2025

I know a lot of us vacation in the panhandle and traveling with any allergy can be very challenging. We found this restaurant in Birmingham, AL. Amazing!! They go above and beyond to make sure there isn’t any cross contamination. We recommend 10/10. Add to your favorites in your maps incase you ever need a safe place while traveling. I got the steak tacos and my fiancé got the plantain nachos. They were very flavorful. We will definitely be back!

Jason Rabon

06 Aug 2025

My wife and I drove to Birmingham from Atlanta to see Leon Bridges play at the new Coca Cola Amphitheater.. We had an Air B&B guest that is from the area and said this place was in my wheelhouse. We walked up and it had a good crowd already with a few couples waiting for tables.. We opted for the community seating table next to another couple going to the show. We were just inside to the left in a little area that was perfect.. We had the queso with the peppers and chorizo added to start and then moved on to the asada steak with a potato cake made with hatch chilies. My wife had the green chili enchiladas and some charro beans. Our waitress was great.. her recommendations were exactly what we were looking at and that made it easy. She was very attentive

Chuck Whitley

05 Jul 2025

We met family for lunch. There is going to be a wait but it is well worth it. I had the salad with sautéed shrimp, what ever they dressing they used is delicious. Other meals were quesadillas, and the meatloaf. Started out with queso and chips and margaritas, fantastic.

Suneesha Arora

25 Jun 2025

Loved everything. The food was delicious. My family is vegetarian, and they had a lot of veggie choices. The spicy margaritas were to die for.

Peewee Payton

14 Jun 2025

The short ribs were very tender and very nicely seasoned. The potato taquitos were really good. The "El Barrio" margarita was excellent! The bartenders were nice and answered all our questions, as we were first timers. Our server kept a smile on his face and was super nice. Can't wait to go back!

Laura Orsi

28 May 2025

Very lovely place with good prices. People were eating there midday on a weekday, which is always a good sign to me. Pepeto soup was light, delicious, unique, and filling. Plantain chips were a little oily tasting but still good.

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