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About This Place

Welcome to El Maguey, a beloved gem nestled at 1328 Forum Dr, Rolla, MO. This vibrant Mexican restaurant has proudly served the community for nearly three decades, becoming a cherished destination for families and friends alike. Whether you're celebrating milestones or simply enjoying a casual meal, El Maguey strives to create an atmosphere that feels like home, treating every guest like family.

As you step inside, the inviting ambiance envelops you, complemented by a dedicated staff eager to make your dining experience exceptional. On busy weekends, the restaurant buzzes with energy, yet patrons are quickly seated and well attended. Each table welcomes you with complimentary chips and a uniquely delightful salsa served in your own decanter, ensuring that every bite is accompanied by the perfect dip. The warm and perfectly salted chips provide a tantalizing start to your meal, setting the stage for the culinary journey that follows.

El Maguey's menu is a festival of flavors, showcasing a diverse range of dishes that highlight authentic ingredients and culinary expertise. Among the favorites, the Pollo A La Parrilla steals the spotlight with its succulent grilled chicken, thoughtfully paired with mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers, all generously topped with melted cheese. This dish is not just a meal; it’s a delightful experience that arrives alongside beans, fresh salad, and warm tortillas, creating a satisfying and well-rounded plate. For something with a little kick, the Pollo Chipotle features grilled chicken drizzled with a rich chipotle sauce, accompanied by fragrant rice and refried beans, offering a bold flavor profile that enchants the palate.

And if you’re in the mood to snack, the chorizo nachos—loaded with grilled chicken, cheese dip, and a medley of sautéed vegetables—will have you reaching for more, all while keeping your taste buds tantalized. As the cherry on top, be sure to save room for dessert! The homemade churros, dusted in cinnamon sugar, provide a sweet finish to your visit, while the sopapilla drizzled with honey is the perfect indulgence to share.

With rave reviews highlighting friendly service, generous portions, and a cozy setting, it’s no surprise that locals like 'Cyndi Kinder' reminisce about their cherished memories at El Maguey. Diners from various backgrounds, including those who have crossed state lines in search of the best Mexican cuisine, consistently laud the quality and flavor of the dishes served here. As one patron aptly noted, El Maguey has become a go-to for exceptional meals, where each visit feels like a culinary reunion.

In conclusion, whether you're a Rolla native or just passing through, El Maguey deserves a spot on your dining itinerary. With its warm atmosphere, attentive service, and mouthwatering dishes, it’s easy to see why generations of diners keep coming back to this beloved establishment. So gather your loved ones, settle in, and prepare to embark on a delightful culinary adventure!

Service options

Accessibility

  • Has wheelchair-accessible car park
  • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
  • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet

Service options

  • Has outdoor seating
  • Offers kerbside pickup
  • Offers takeaway
  • Serves dine-in
  • No delivery

Highlights

  • Has fast service
  • Has great beer selection
  • Serves great cocktails
  • Good for watching sport

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 late-night food
  • Quick bite
  • Serves small plates
  • Serves spirits
  • Serves vegetarian dishes
  • Serves wine

Dining options

  • Serves lunch
  • Serves dinner
  • Serves dessert
  • Has seating

Amenities

  • Has bar on site
  • Has toilet

Atmosphere

  • Casual
  • Cosy
  • Trendy

Crowd

  • Good for groups
  • Popular with tourists
  • Popular with university students

Planning

  • Accepts reservations

Payments

  • Accepts credit cards
  • Accepts debit cards
  • Accepts NFC mobile payments
  • Credit cards

Children

  • Good for kids
  • High chairs available
  • Has kids' menu

Parking

  • Free of charge street parking
  • Free parking lot
  • Plenty of parking

Locations

Guest Reviews (1384)

My friend and I eat here pretty frequently, sometimes with others like friends or family, but it's always super nice, we're never waiting a long time for a table even on a Friday evening, all the staff are really nice, it's cozy without feeling claustrophobic, clean, the food is always spot on. never had any issues while here, and they're a sweet and a little more local chain. the food is also super filling and we almost always have leftovers so you really get your money's worth, we're always down for some El Maguey

Went there for lunch. It was a very busy place for Sunday afternoon. Very good Mexican food.

We have been eating here for almost 30 years. Epic memories of raising our kids and celebrating many family milestones. We highly recommend the tamales, Tequilla shots and chips & cheese. Pablo & all staff treat you like family. It’s a must try & you’ll want to come back soon.

We went in the first day they were open for dine in after the COVID. they did a pretty decent job at spacing people out. The restaurant was super clean and the wait staff was nice. They took care of us fairly quickly for being super super busy. Chips and sales were amazing, definitely love that you get you own decanter of salsa. The chips were warm and yummy and not over salted. We did wait an hour for our food but they did let us know ahead of. Time it would be a decent wait. We were okay with that. They did keep us in good supply of chips and salsa while we waited and it was definitely worth the weight. The chicken was good quality and had nice flavor. The rice was yummy, I was surprised to see corn carrots and green beans in the rice, but I'm from Florida so this could be the norm for Missouri. Aside from that the meal was excellent and we definitely look forward to going back. I did not get the name of the gentleman that took care of us but he was wonderful for them being so slammed. I don't think I heard the phone stop wrinibg the whole time we were there but they still took awesome care of everyone! Would definitely recommend.

I am a lifelong San Diego girl now living in the Midwest, and El Maguey is by far the best Mexican food around these parts! The selection is incredible, the service is fast, and the prices are so reasonable. I’ve been three times and never had a bad meal or experience, and never left feeling yucky! A detail I love—my toddler’s plate has always come out at a temperature suited to a toddler! He can dig right in without me needing to cool it down first. My only complaint is the chips and salsa. Not authentic at all, but I appreciate that they are appealing to the particular tastes of the region. However, it does prevent me from eating 5 baskets of chips before my entree arrives, which is great because the Jalisco entree has me in a choke hold

Service was absolutely fantastic. Went in with a ridiculous size party. Was coming from a Robotics Championship! So yeah the whole team 20+. We were all seated snd waited on and surprisingly almost all food came out together. Atmosphere was very pleasant. For the most part food was delicious except cheese sauce was runny. Would come back again if I was in town.

10/10 will definitely be going here again. Great atmosphere, clean, friendly staff and the food was delicious and great quality/proportions. I had the birria quesadillas with rice, one of the best Mexican dishes I’ve ever had. Fast service and decent prices. Highly recommend!

I love El Maguey! I got the Huevos con Chorizo on my first visit, and they were so good I knew I had to come back again. My second visit was on a Friday, and I noticed staff had posted a paper at the front door listing all their Lent-friendly options. I got the Camarones al Mojo de Ajo and I loved everything about it. I highly recommend this dish. The staff are friendly, happy, and quick on their feet. Before the meal, they give out complementary torilla chips with salsa.

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