El Chupacabra

Doesn't Recommend

pscroggs

Joined 11 years ago

Hostile and Incompetent. The food was decent; but the atmosphere and waitress were lousy. Let's start with the fact that it was too loud for conversation when we sat down. Then the waitress turned the music up higher because her favorite song came on. (Another waiter came along and turned it down a minute later.) She mocked us for not reading the menu carefully; then made a suggestion for what to order. But, the food arrived without the ingredient she suggested. The kitchen was quick; but, we didn't get what we asked for. The beer was lukewarm. And she never came back to get us another round. So, don't waste your time at this place. I sure won't.

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tiffany143

Joined 7 years ago

One of my favorite bars. I love going to this place. I believe that it use to be a restaurant before. Located where phinney and greenwood meet, this bar looks like a house. Good food at a good price, which I think you can order until 10. Good barritos, nachoes, sandwiches. It can be pretty crowded around dinner time because most people are there for the food at that time. Never meet a person there that didn't mind having a random conversation. The clientele is usually a mix, but sometimes more on the punk/rock side. Always free pool. Mon-Fri they have happy hour from 4-7. Sun-Thur they have late night happy hour 10-12:30, each night having a different drink special. They have a good sized porch with about 8 tables, so you can still drink while your having a cigarette. A few times during the week they have a DJ, or two, I'm not sure. The batenders are great, helps if you are friendly and nice with them as it is with anyone you ever meet. They have some of the best music I have ever seen in a jute box. The owner hangs out on his days off sometimes, he's a great guy. I know that he use to own another bar awhile back some where in seattle, I'm sure you've heard of it, but at the moment I can't remember the name. You can ask the owner if you choose to go to El Chupacabra. Free street parking.

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snarkygirl

Joined 7 years ago

The Red One, Fire and Flailing. The food was great, the service was great, the owner and patio posse even spent an inordinate amount of time trying to get the outdoor heater working so we could sit outside on a rather chilly night. We waited about 10 mins for a table to open up...I found The Red One and her flailing, personality, skills with entertaining children and quickness on the floor totally refreshing. I even earned a nickname myself. I loved the place and recommend it for cheap, great eats. bThe pork carnitas burrito was excellent!! We'll definitely go back.

xo,

The Black One

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seatlesqueak

Joined 7 years ago

Really?. Most of the reviews you see about this bar are written by yuppie invaders that are trying to make us quit smoking, quit drinking, so our inhibitions are controlled at all times. The staff is down to earth unique. They act the same while working as they do on the street, trust me, I ran into the red one at the market she came flailing up to me recongnizing my face and what I had to drink, and thanked me for coming into the bar, my pleasure. If you want good food and your staff not care about you go to Gorditos, if you want to feel like you're in the center of the universe in some sort of fun, entertaining, organized chaos, go here. The staff is great (the two tattooed girls a fav for my husband and I) The food is great (yummy Enchiladas) The drinks are great.

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suzqueue

Joined 7 years ago

Mixed Feelings. We've been to El Chupacabra a half dozen times and we always come away feeling that the service is horrible but the food and drinks are *almost* worth it. Usually the staff is simply too busy to be attentive (especially in summer) but last night the bartender -- who was loud and abrupt to us -- kept yelling over our heads to some personal friends of hers sitting at a table behind us. Combined with the louder-than-usual stereo, this made for an uncomfortable situation. We couldn't ignore the activity around us, but were in no way included in it either. It's a shame, because the food is inexpensive and tasty, and the Margaritas are great, but we've had too many bad experiences with the staff to consider it a regular destination.

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jmmcdaris

Joined 7 years ago

Best waitress in history. I waited tables for years and the Kylie is amazing!

For those of you looking for fine dining...seriously, go elsewhere, this is a bar.

Great food, great value, and super fast service from the fiery red-head...I'm not exaggerating, she handles the whole place single-handedly without pen and paper!

Oh and the bartender makes a fantastic margarita!

This is the place for drink, fun, and fast good eats.

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gilgamesh

Joined 7 years ago

I LOVE THIS NEIGHBORHOOD BAR. El Chupacabra is MY neighborhood bar. I love the food and the drinks are quite good if a little strong. The atmosphere is somewhat dark and good for a date as the lights are low. There is also free pool. One thing though is that this is a very popular destination so it can be crowded on the weekends. But I can understand why. The food is really tasty and the serving staff is very nice. I don't understand all these negative reviews of "mean beer wenches" I have been here MANY times, usually with large parties of more than 10 and we are always treated very well, despite outward appearances. Maybe people are just inimidated by tatoos and piercings. The serving staff has always been kind. Yeah tatooed bartender yells sometimes, but never to be mean. Anyway the food is great and the drinks are worth the price.

Doesn't Recommend

tamalie_

Joined 9 years ago

Beware the Mean Goat Sucker Lady!. I've been to El Chupacabra several times and I just don't know why they expend so much energy being so unpleasant! Sometimes a little attitude is welcome and interesting, but not bone-crushing meanness! I get abused enough at work and in traffic...I don't like to go out for drinks and get yelled at by the waitress for no reason. The food is inexpensive and good and the margaritas (7$) are strong and tasty. The bartender there last Friday (3/31) was sweet and I feel bad for him that he has to work with the rude wench who yelled at us and then seated us. I was a bartender and server for years and I'll cheerfully put up with a lot - slow kitchens, rushed wait staff, an occasional hair in the food, - anything but mean servers. I'm not going back. Ever. Period.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Bargain burritos, a rockin' juke box, and margaritas from scratch heat up Phinney Ridge.. The Scene
Named for the mythical "goat-sucker," this old house has transformed into a warm cantina, with red walls and a few Day-of-the-Dead details. With its raucous jukebox and budget prices, this yuppie-free environment attracts a younger clientele. Later at night, the free pool table gets busy as the tunes crank. In the warmer weather, the front porch opens for leisurely feasting.

The Food
Diners capture the Chupacabra spirit here by sucking down life-giving margaritas created with a zesty homemade mix. These large drinks balance the spicy Mexican standards--from fat Mission-style burritos to enchiladas, which nicely meld cheese, pork, beans, and hot sauce in a pillow-soft tortilla. Of the marinated meat fillings, the savory pork carnitas beat the chicken, and the salsas are all flavorful without going over the top. For something different, try the posole or the shrimp in tequila and lime with corn pancakes. Vegetarians with meat pangs should sample the surprising chorizo-flavored substitute.

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jammyboozehound

Joined 7 years ago

Promedio or average. Nothing about this place stood out to me, except maybe its name and decorating. This tiny place would probably be better if it was strictly a bar with minimal food offerings. The food was unimpressive, the tables are too close together, which makes it seem as though you are dining with the whole room not just your companions.