El Monte Grill Fort Collins

During my visit to Fort Collins last weekend, I had the pleasure of dining with a large group at El Monte on Sunday evening. We chose this restaurant based on a recommendation from a business associate who enjoyed it so much that he returned twice in the same week. Knowing how discerning he is about restaurants, we felt quite confident in our decision. He insisted we try three specific items: the margaritas, the guacamole, and the snapper Veracruz. Wow! All three were absolutely fantastic, and I also had a taste of the pork loin, which was delicious. The service was exceptional as well—definitely ask for Matthew. I also loved the beautifully cinema-inspired decor, given that the space used to be a movie theater. The atmosphere was sophisticated yet approachable, with a slightly sensual vibe. I adored everything about it!

To be honest, I was hoping for better food. It wasn't terrible, but it also didn't impress me. It was just... mediocre. We started with the Queso Fundido as an appetizer, but it lacked flavor. The only thing that stood out was that it was hot and greasy. Plus, there weren't enough tortillas (not chips) to enjoy with the queso. I ordered the Shrimp Enchiladas, which were also very oily and primarily tasted like the large portion of sautéed onions and bell peppers on top. My husband tried the Roasted Relleno, and while he said it was good, it wasn’t enticing enough for him to want to return. The atmosphere is fantastic, and the service was good, but we just wish the food had been better. I don’t think we’ll be making an effort to come back anytime soon.

I think this place is owned by the same people as The Rio, so I expected to find their signature Rio margarita on the menu. Instead, I tried the House Margarita, but I wasn't a fan of it.

This is our fourth or fifth visit to El Monte this past year, and while the previous visits have been enjoyable, this one was the best. We had the Roasted Relleno and the Shrimp Enchiladas for dinner, and everything was outstanding. The service has significantly improved compared to our earlier experiences, leaving us excited for our next visit.

Very interesting menu and delicious food. The meal started with salsa and tortillas. The tortillas were freshly made and delicious. We were expecting fried chips and instead they were simply warm tortillas. I had a pork chop with a roasted chile rellano. Excellent!! My husband and I are moving to Fort Collins and we will return to this restaurant.