EL POTRO MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Is EL POTRO MEXICAN RESTAURANT clean? Mostly — a B (80/100) at its latest inspection, December 29, 2025. That visit logged 2 high-priority and 4 basic violations.

Its latest visit (December 29, 2025) logged 2 high-priority and 4 basic violations. Diners rate it 4.3 across 2,252 reviews. By health score it's safer than 19% of Orange County restaurants we grade. Menus here flag vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, organic, and other dietary options.

Trend: improving · B (80/100) · safer than 19% of Orange County restaurants we grade

Get directions Call (407) 781-0395

Restaurant details

Health grade
B (80/100)
Violations
6 total — 2 high-priority, 4 basic
Address
4666 S KIRKMAN RD, Orlando, FL
Cuisine
Mexican
Categories
Mexican restaurant, Bar, Latin American restaurant, Restaurant
Price
$10–20
Rating
4.3 stars (2252 reviews)
Neighborhood
Southwest Orlando
Seats
153
Phone
(407) 781-0395
Website
Official website
Photo of EL POTRO MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Photo: Vijay Soprey

Community Rating

Reviews via Google
4.3 Community-sourced rating 2,252 reviews
Read all reviews on Google →

What diners say — our read

Reviews here split hard: 14 five-star against 2 one-star, with little in between. Reviewers who mention how guests are treated rate this place 4.5 on average — it is working in the restaurant’s favour.

The split is 15 positive to 4 negative across 19 rated reviews. 5 stars is the modal score, given by 14 of the 19 reviewers who rated.

On the health side, the most recent DBPR inspection returned a B (80/100) with 2 high-priority and 4 basic violations — middling, much like the reviews. That inspection was on December 29, 2025. Its inspection trajectory is upward over the records we hold. Ranked against Orange County, it is safer than 19% of the restaurants we score. Among the items recorded were cross-contamination.

With both signals pointing the same way, there is little to argue about on this listing. Everything above is computed from the 19 reviews reproduced below.

Our own analysis of 19 reviews for this restaurant, set against its Florida DBPR inspection record. How we calculate grades →

  • June 13, 2026

    Good

  • June 12, 2026

    This place was fantastic! You could taste the love and different flavors in the food. Great portions for a great price! Definitely a must to try!

  • June 4, 2026

    Great staff, yummy food, good drink deals. Never a disappointment.

  • May 30, 2026

    This is hands down our favorite Mexican restaurant! We visit this place more often than our local Mexico restaurants. The food is incredible, and the staff is amazing!!! We highly recommend this place!!

  • May 28, 2026

    During our trip to Orlando over Memorial weekend, we enjoyed some delicious food. It was served hot and fresh, and the tables were spotless. They service lunch until 4:00’. The place wasn't overly crowded, and even though the service was a bit slow, we didn't mind since we weren't in a rush. It was quite warm outside, and I noticed a child come in after riding his bike, asking for water, and the server happily provided him with a large cup of water without requesting any payment. I thought that was fantastic, especially in a time when everyone seems to charge for everything. We can't wait to return in the future.

  • May 28, 2026

    Pecimo testaurat caro y la comida de muy mal sabor no tienen idea de la verdadera comida mexicana deverdad ya son como 3 veces q lo visito y cada vez es peor no lo recomiendo

  • May 12, 2026

    Fantastic food, friendly staff, delicious margaritas. We got two drinks for one!!

  • May 11, 2026

    Perfecto.

  • May 11, 2026

    We love this restaurant 😍. Excellent service, good food.

  • May 8, 2026

    Great food great service great will definitely be back again

  • May 7, 2026

    I love this place ❤️

  • May 5, 2026

    We use to love coming here a few years ago, but lately it’s been awful. The fish tacos are hilariously sparse, pork is overly greasy, the grease is old (taste the chips), and the margaritas aren’t always on sale anymore. Quality is on the floor now. It’s very disappointing.

  • April 27, 2026

    Daniela hizo un trabajo super exotico , de verdad que nunca me habian atendido tan bien de verdad que super boletoso

  • April 22, 2026

    Great food, Great service... We love Elll Potro.

  • April 22, 2026

    The food is excellent, the server very nice. I recommend to visit, this place. I will back again

  • April 20, 2026

    I am taking time out of my night to tell you guys that last time I was there on Friday april 17 2026 around 4-5 pm I was served shortly by Diego and another girl I can’t remember her name, total bill was $72.88 dollars and can remember very clearly having tipped exactly 7 dollars to round it up to 79.88 I remember cause the number seemed oddly specific t me but I always do stuff like that, then today, Monday y checked my credit card transaction and saw that the total the resuarant charged me was 82.88 so conveniently my waiter decided to add an extra unauthorized 5 dollar tip out of my hard earned money to fill their pockets, sounds like fraud unfortunately I did not save a copy or took a picture of the receipt but learned lesson I will start doing this from now on, and also I have enough time to go tomorrow and talk so a manager of the establishment, I don’t care for 5 dollars but it’s about principle they should (maybe most likely) keep copies of the customers signed receipts from every day so they might find it, I usually eat here t least once a month because I like it but now they might be about to never see me again because it’s not trust worthy to me if they’re decent now I want my whole tip back

  • April 18, 2026

    The moment you step in you are greeted with comfort. The service was amazing, The servers were attentive and nice, the food was incredible and big portions. Overall highly recommend for authentic mexican food. Will definetly come back!

  • April 16, 2026

    Ristorante gestito da sole donne messicane,tutte gentilissime. Cibo buonissimo,veramente messicano. Birra eccezionale. E per finire un margarita che neanche in Messico avevo assaggiato così buono. Servizio velocissimo e prezzi piu che onesti. Lo consiglio a chiunque si trovi ad Orlando

  • April 10, 2026

    La comida fatal, muy caro para lo que sirven y el sazón horrible! Muy bonito el restaurante pero lo principal que es la comida muy mala

Overall Score

70 / 100

  • Health inspection grade 30/40
    Grade B
  • Dietary transparency 17/20
    5 options listed
  • Community rating 17/20
    4.3★ average
  • Hidden-gem status 0/10
    Not flagged
  • Track record 6/10
    Improving, 0% clean

Composite score from health grade, dietary options, ratings, and inspection record — distinct from the state-derived health grade.

Opening hours

Monday
11 AM to 11 PM
Tuesday
11 AM to 11 PM
Wednesday
11 AM to 11 PM
Thursday
11 AM to 11 PM
Friday
11 AM to 11 PM
Saturday
11 AM to 11 PM
Sunday
10 AM to 10 PM

Inspection history

The following records are from Florida DBPR public inspection records, most recent first.

  1. December 29, 2025 · Routine - Food

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    2 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 4 basic

    • 02 — Consumer advisory, date-marking & labeling of ready-to-eat foods
    • 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
    • 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention (×2)
    • 40 — Employee personal belongings
  2. August 27, 2025 · Routine - Food

    Call Back - Complied

    0 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 2 basic

    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
    • 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention
  3. August 25, 2025 · Routine - Food

    Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

    1 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 2 basic

    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
    • 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention
    • 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests
  4. August 19, 2025 · Routine - Food

    Administrative complaint recommended

    3 high-priority · 2 intermediate · 5 basic

    • 02 — Consumer advisory, date-marking & labeling of ready-to-eat foods
    • 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating)
    • 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage (×2)
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained (×3)
    • 24 — Storage & handling of clean equipment and utensils; air drying
    • 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention
    • 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests

Safer options nearby

Higher-graded restaurants close to EL POTRO MEXICAN RESTAURANT, by Florida DBPR grade:

This grade is calculated by us from Florida DBPR public inspection records — Florida does not issue official grades. How we calculate it →

Data last updated: December 29, 2025