El Barzon

El Barzon is both an Italian and Mexican restaurant. The service has always been exceptional in the 10+ years I've been dining here. Meals begin with complimentary chips and salsa, while bread and butter is served with appetizers. The salsas are better than the average Mexican restaurant's, and chip baskets get replenished free of charge. If you plan on drinking, I recommend reviewing the margarita menu.As for appetizers, both the insalata caesar (caesar salad) and calamari La Noria are worth getting. I could distinctively taste the anchovy in the caesar salad, but it wasn't overbearing by any means. The croutons tasted fresh and weren't overly dry or crunchy. I initially questioned why arugula was a part of the calamari La Noria, but it ended up being a nice touch.The pennette (penne) alla vodka is the best I've been able to find locally. The kiss pasta is also incredible, but is quite pricey ($33) for a pasta dish. I didn't dislike the scaloppine (veal) alla Frances, but it's my least favorite dish I've had here. The costolette di vitello (veal chop) alla Milanese is the better veal dish between the two, but is more than double the price.My most recent experience at El Barzon was in celebration of my wife and I's anniversary. The staff was kind enough to surprise us with a complimentary "happy anniversary" dessert. The dessert was flan, and it was delightful. However, it was the staff going the extra mile for us I appreciated more than anything. El Barzon successfully pulls off the combination of Italian and Mexican cuisines, and offers a worthwhile dining experience.

The restaurant was recommended to my husband for Valentine's Day. From the moment we walked in the door, the disappointments began. We had a reservation however when we went to the check-in desk, there was only one person "checking" people in and he was taking people aa they came through the door. When I asked if they were going by reservation he said "just as people come in." Once seated, our tableware was hurriedly dropped on the table and we waited for our server. Eventually she came, we placed food and drink orders. I ordered the Oaxaca Old Fashioned...it tasted like cough syrup. Sent it back and got a margarita...it was tolerable but not great. The food was probably the worst I've had in the city of Detroit. All of the sauces were out of a can/jar. The chicken was old and dry. The mole was ok-ish but it would never pass the abuela test. The only plus was the charm of the decor. It was pretty inside, as a whole. This place clearly has been around a long time and used to be a gem. They have, unfortunately, lost whatever spark they used to have. Though it was a busy day, an established restaurant with good food will still shine on a night like Valentine's Day. We will not return.

This place sucks. Food was tasty. However that's the only positive. It was Valentine's Day today & I could not hear my lady due to the inexplicably loud music, which led to quite the misunderstanding between us. Thank you El Barzon. Also, our candle on the table wasn't lit, which made my lady very upset.I would also like to thank the staff - for taking 40 minutes & us asking 3 multiple (on payroll) employees to give us the check. Making me and my lady late/frustrated to our show. I was inches away from dining and dashing because we already had to cancel multiple ubers, but our waitress came back in the nick of time. She was in a suit.Drinks also took 15-20 minutes to come out after ordered, when the place was not crowded. Food came out on time. Shoutout to the kitchen staff.The bathroom sucked. I was not pleased and have seen better. 1 stall for a whole restaurant of dudes? C'mon now. El Bunzon sucks.

This place was recommended to me, and at first I was a bit hesitant to try it, but oh my god I am so glad I did, because every dish I have had from here has been phenomenal! It's a gorgeous restaurant inside and out, with excellent service and the chef? Incredible! I'm not sure they can make a less than stellar meal here. I'm not sure if I can make a recommendation, because there are too many excellent options!

Service is very kind and attentive. Menu is very large. Fusion of Latin and Italian dishes. I wish I could say the food was better, but most of our items came out room temperature. We ordered multiple small plates to share. The rice and beans were lacking in flavors. The calamari, asparagus and chorizo queso were all cold. Inside the restaurant is nice. There are many tables but you will want to make a reservation. I would give it another try as a date night.

My friend and I decided to have dinner at El Barzon before attending a concert at motor city casino. Parking is in the back of the building and you may miss the alleyway entrance to the lot if you're not paying attention. We made a reservation and I'm glad we did because it became quite crowded on a Friday night. Our server was very nice but he seemed a bit frazzled. He talked very fast and was running between tables like there was a fire. I started with the white sangria which was refreshing but not what I expected. It tasted more like a sparkling wine instead of a sangria. We ordered the fried calamari that comes with shrimp and zucchini. There was no flavor, the accompanying sauce was very good but the actual dish lacked flavor. I ordered the pollo al limone which had a good lemon flavor. It was served with potatoes and spinach. The potatoes were good but the spinach tasted like it came straight out of a can. Service was good but this isn't a place I would visit again.

From outside the front you would never expect what a hidden gem this place is. In the front, it looks like every other older spot in Mexican Town Detroit. However, when you enter the giant decorative metal gate in the back, it is beautiful. This place was packed with people enjoying the outdoor dining space.El Barzon is a Mexican and Italian restaurant with options for everyone. This is not an American style Mexican, it is incredibly authentic. I ordered the Mole Enchiladas with chicken. My wife got a Margarita pizza from their wood fire oven (only available on weekends). Our table had some calamari, courtesy of the owner.The Enchiladas de pollo Mole were incredible. The mole takes them days to make and it is so deep with flavor. It is sweet, tangy, and spicy. The chicken just fell apart and it was a perfect portion. I couldn't get enough of the sauce.My wife's margarita pizza was also amazing. It was perfectly crispy, but still floppy where it needed. The wood fire oven sets it on top. Would definitely recommend trying it on a weekend.This place is a hidden, but not so hidden gem. From the service, to the food, to the beautiful patio, this place delivers. Next time you are downtown, check it out.

Great service and the mole chicken was very tasty. Our server answered lots of questions and even brought us samples so we could choose our entrees well. We will be back.

6 of us had dinner at El Barzon on Mother's Day evening. The place was absolutely packed. We ate inside the restaurant, but they have a covered outdoor section that was very nice. Our waiter, Cesar, stopped by and immediately apologized (even though we had only sat down 3 minutes prior) and took our drink orders. My wife and others were very impressed with the Italian Margarita and the Strawberry Jalapeño Margarita. He quickly brought chips and salsa (really good) and Italian bread and butter.For our meals, I had the Saltimbocca Alla Romana and was blown away. Absolutely amazing flavor!2 people got the enchilada - both said it was the best they had ever hadHoney Mustard Salmon - Loved it / extremely goodScaloppine Alla Toscana - Incredibly goodA pasta dish that I don't remember the name, but it was very flavorful!The portions of veal were fairly small, but potatoes and spinach came with our meals so it was enough.A big thank you to Cesar. He was an amazing waiter and truly busted his butt that evening.A definitely favorite of ours. Definitely an odd combination (Italian and Mexican), but I highly recommend it! There is a small parking lot behind the restaurant as well.

Beautiful interior. Service was responsive despite being very busy. The food was incredible.