Authentic Mexican Cuisine

While Bobby Troup may have encouraged people to get their kicks on Route 66, just up the road in Claremore, drivers find more than just kicks, but also find mouthwatering Mexican Cuisine at El Maguey Mexican Restaurant.

Located on the southern corridor of the stretch of Route 66 near Claremore, El Maguey has a well-deserved reputation for delicious, authentic Mexican cuisine at a restaurant where everyone – restaurant staff and customers alike – are family or they feel like family.

Just ask Chantal Vidal.

“We opened in 2005, and my husband and I have been here from the beginning,” said Vidal, manager and co-owner. “Over the years, many of our customers have returned, become ‘regulars,’ and we see them and their family all the time, they see us, and each of us sees how our different families – and the restaurant -- have grown. We’re a family business, and part of that family is our customers.”

Serving generations of families with smiles and hospitality comes naturally at El Maguey, the restaurant named for a plant indigenous to Mexico and indicative of Chantal and Saul’s roots.

“We wanted to call the restaurant something that was a part of our heritage,” Chantal said.

A visit to El Maguey is like a trip to Vidal’s hometown of Michoacan, Mexico, your taste buds, as they only fresh meat, vegetables, and other ingredients in its unique recipes and dishes, making salsa, guacamole, chips fresh daily, and never precooking orders.

“We’re always wanting to improve – in our quality, in our service, in customer satisfaction,” she said. “My goal is for us to be consistent in what we provide – for our customers to know that we’re a good, reliable restaurant they can come to, knowing that they’ll be able to order something they like for a good price, with good portions, and that they’re going to be treated like family when they’re here.” 

Among some of the popular menu items are the El Maguey’s unique fajitas – like the Fajitas Texas, with a combination of beef, chicken and shrimp for one, Vegetarian Fajitas, with mushrooms, zucchini and other veggies, the Fajitas Special, boasting generous portions of chicken and shrimp, mushrooms and zucchini with cheese sauce, or the Parrillada Mexicana, served with rice, beans, guacamole, sour cream and pico de gallo, the main dish of which consists of beef, chicken, chorizo, shrimp, onions, fresh jalapenos and potatoes.

Come by for lunch and ask about any of the 13 different lunch specials, whether your tastes are for chile rellenos, burritos, tacos, enchiladas, chalupas, beef or chicken quesadillas, flautas or tamales, with sides of fried beans, rice, salad or more.

Special lunch deals are served from 11 a.m. through 3 p.m. from Monday through Saturday, for a modest cost of only $5.99, sure to fill you up without emptying your wallet.

Other specials include the Speedy Gonzales, which includes a single taco, enchilada and your choice of rice and beans, the Taco Loco, which serves up a fried flour tortilla filled with chicken, cheese dip, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes and (Mexican) rice, the Fajita Lunch, which offers beef topped with cheese sauce, guacamole salad and refried beans, and for something different, try the Huevos Rancheros, which is two fried eggs with rice and beans, or the Huevos ala Mexican, which is two fried eggs with tomatoes, onions and jalapenos, also served with rice and beans.

Seafood, chicken, steak, port and vegetarian options are available in most menu items, and for the ninos (kids) 10 and under, ask about the children’s plates, with chicken tenders, corndogs, burritos, tacos, enchiladas or other child-sized dishes, served with a soft drink.

Planning an event? Ask Chantal about El Maguey’s catering options, as the restaurant prepares and delivers around the area for any occasion, big or small.

El Maguey Mexican Restaurant in Claremore is open seven days a week and is located at 1958 South Highway 66. For more information, call 918-341-7677 or visit them online at elmagueyrestaurantok.com.