March 27th update

Today's update is there is no update. We are starting to question the end of the month target re-opening date.

Remodeled interior, in-progress.

Here are some shots of the new interior with some finishing touches still remaining. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. No more carpet floors! Nice tile throughout. New booths. Also, I'm sad to see the large, heavy, custom carved, awkward chairs that always tip over are gone. Oh wait, I spotted one in the second picture. It is a green one! 

Talked to the Staff. Should open by end of month.

We have good news to report. We spoke with one of the El Matador staff today and he said they're just about finished, only waiting on the liquor license. Should be open by the end of this month at the latest! The establishment will be under new management.

Also inquired about the menu...

We're happy to report that Pollo Zarrape will be included! WITH chorizo option!
We forgot to inquire about chicken fajita quesadilla - lunch!

El Matador on You Tube and ElMatador.com

It looks like Yellowbook posted this video on behalf of El Matador to You Tube last Thursday 03/07/2013. Check it out!

I called the new number from the video, but there was no answer. I left a message requesting more information, but haven't gotten a call back yet. 

It also points to www.elmatador.com, but that web site doesn't appear to be built yet, as of today. 

Update 08/10/2013: See new post

Favorite Menu Items

What were your favorite menu items? Here are a few of our team's favorites.

Pollo Zarappe

Chicken Fajita Quesidilla - Lunch

Chimichanga
Tacos
Speedy Gonzales

Add your favorites in the comments below and vote on your favorite menu item in our poll on the right at the top of this page.

No Checks!!!

The old El Matador had some issues with bad check writers. These people would come and order their fajitas, and their burritos, and their pollo zarappes, eat the free chips and salsa; then write a bad check for their meals that would bounce. These bad checks used to be displayed as wallpaper around the cash register at the old El Matador as a stark reminder. Needless to say the old El Matador stopped accepting checks, so you can assume that this policy will be in place at the new El Matador! Cash or cards only. 

A great place to celebrate!

Whether it is a special event in your life or a business lunch, El Matador was a great place to celebrate.

El Matador could always accommodate our corporate events. New employees, job changes, promotions, or department lunches; were always handled with swift professionalism.

El Matador Wall Art

El Matador Card

Free refills on homemade chocolate milk?

Did you know that the old El Matador served free refills on homemade chocolate milk as well as fountain drinks? Some chocolate milk enthusiasts are wondering if the new El Matador will offer this as well.

Some old birthday shots!

At old El Matador, the tradition was to put on a big sombrero and get ice cream with whipped cream and syrup shoved in your face on your birthday or 10,000th day alive celebration. Then you were encouraged to share your ice cream with your friends and family and were sent off smelling chocolate syrup from inside your nose the rest of the day! Good times!

El Matador on Facebook...kind of.

There is an El Matador Facebook page. It is more of a placeholder, but it has not yet been claimed by the owners.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/El-Matador/111739138858397?fref=ts

Opening Confirmed

This report filed by one of our field reporters earlier today:

Decatur, IL -  El Matador has confirmed that they will be re-opening in a couple weeks with very nice interior updations, in addition to the aforementioned exterior paint updation. Due to the remodel, all previous birthday pics and bad checks have been removed. It is not yet confirmed that Pollo Zarrape or Chicken Fajita Quessadilla (lunch!) is still on the menu, although Speedy Gonzales surely will be.  It still smells like El Matador.

File Photo:

Old Menu

Here is a picture of a vintage El Matador menu circa 2005.

Open Soon Signs Spotted

It looks like the rumors might be true. Today one of our El Matador spotters snapped this picture of the newly repainted (now orange and yellow instead of the old green and red) El Matador building sporting two "Open Soon" signs. No dates were provided.