El Fogón

5 Eldar - 2 months ago

A local recommended we try this place out and I wish we would've found it sooner! If you're looking for authentic, flavorful, and fresh good then this is the place. We went when it was packed, but the food still came out fairly quickly and the servers were attentive. I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone who visits! Moreover, if you like spicy food then you are at the beat place.

5 Mouse Balls - 2 months ago

We arrived around 6:15 pm on a Sunday night and got in right away, but about 20 minutes later they were busy with a line around the corner. However, they have fast and great service. We ordered the full order of guacamole, steak quesadillas, tacos loco (mixto), smoked pork (ahumada) platter, and another plate of mixed meats with cheese (forgot the name, but it was steak and chorizo).

Everything was delicious, and their salsas are a bit more spicy than elsewhere we've been. We've noticed a lot of Mexican restaurants here serve the jalapeno salsa (salsa verde) and a salsa roja that is spicier; however, the salsas here at El Fogon are more spicy than at the other places we've been. We still asked for the hottest salsa (as always) which was literally them slicing a couple green habeneros and serving them in a liquid (lime juice maybe?), the exact same thing the previous restaurant did. While it wasn't the "liquid-oozing from every pore and orifice" spicy that we were expecting based on reviews (granted the reviews were 8 years ago from fellow gringos that love spicy), it was still good.

My friend loves bacon, and he said the smoked pork was amazing and that the chorizo was good (he doesn't like chorizo!). The steak quesadillas are nothing like what you would get in the U.S. because they are loaded with steak similar to fajita meat and barely had any cheese. The steak was remarkable because it melted in your mouth, and it wasn't even the arrachera!

The tacos locos (plato) was also just as amazing because it's several chopped meats mixed with slices of bacon on top and covered in queso fundido. I had the plate with steak and chorizo, jalapeño slices covered in queso fundido, and a potato with crema. A lot of the dishes come with guacamole and grilled onions (cebollas asadas).

The entire meal (tacos locos, steak quesadillas, smoked pork, my plate, plus 4 waters, a soda, and 3 beers) all came out to around $65 US (~$1300 MXN). Again, service was quick and amazing. Everywhere else we've been we have spent about 1.5 hours in the restaurant because service was slow, but not this place. It's the locals' go-to for gpod food. We were attracted because of the supposed spiciness, but were amazed by the food itself! And our server couldn't have been better.

I was an overcast/rainy day, but that allowed us to stay cool inside. I would highly recommend this place, and if you want to try a variety of meats, get the tacos locos.

5 Stevie B - 3 months ago

Hector is the best dish server of the world. What a guy. Me and me girlfriend visited this place many times and really want to thank him for the great service. Food is very very good!!

5 Jack Werner - 2 months ago

El Fogon is another restaurant that challenges the most delicious food we had in Mexico. Their tacos are out of this world, which explains the long lines and packed house! It is certainly worth the wait, and it is actually quite fun to watch the cooks from the window. While you eat, make sure to try some of the aqua Fresca that they offer. You'll definitely want to come back!

5 Kamil K - 2 months ago

Went here with wife and 2 small kids (age 8u00269). Very tasty food. Waiter did great job with suggestions for family supper. Would recommend for big meal ;) worth noting that we had to wait 15 mins for a table.

5 Slumdog Gump - 9 months ago

Nice spot with open air dining area. Two floors with large area upstairs. Service was quick and food excellent. I had the fajita plate, great value. Popular place, but no wait when I went. I'd go back for sure.

5 Nienke Ladage - 4 months ago

When returning after 7 years to Mexico I was so happy to eat some real Mexican food again ????! We had lunch here a few days in a row, and we loved the Tacos al Pastor! Also friendly and quick service. I can definitely recommend eating here at least once when visiting Playa del Carmen.