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The Matador

4.4

About this business

Come to Matador for a chilled-out vibe and outstanding Tex-Mex cuisine. Frequented mostly by locals, the menu features some of the most tantalizing Latin dishes like bacon-wrapped grilled stuffed jalapenos, braised pork sope and common favorites like tacos and enchiladas. Their Northwestern variants like butternut squash quesadilla and spicy fried calamari are remarkable as well. To drink, tequilas comprise most of the menu, but you can still order a strong house margarita, beer and wine. 

Location details

4546 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA, 98116, United States

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WeekdayScheduleStatus
Mon9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tue9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wed9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thu9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Fri9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
SatClosed
SunClosed
4.41,578 reviews
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derek46's profile image
14 years ago

Not worth it! – "I live in West Seattle and I must say the service is HORRIBLE! I was just there and these servers don't know how to smile and are rude. When I told them they were rude and that I wasn't coming back ever, they told me to get out and I was not welcome. I thought they were going to attack me, a senior citizen. Also good restaurants have 'Sir' or 'Maam' in their vocabulary, but they don't. 

kayanuw's profile image
14 years ago

Best nachos and sangrias – Great service. They have my favorite zin here. Sangrias are the best I've had. Food is great! Everything on the HH menu is totally yummy. Bartender challenged me to find better nachos in town, I haven't been able to yet.... 

sdt1982's profile image
14 years ago

Great food, horrible service – I live in West Seattle and I must say the service is HORRIBLE! I tried over and over to give this place a chance and I was just there the other night and these waitresses and hosts don't know how to smile and are rude. The girl comes to clean our table, my friend tries to help by picking up some of the plates and accidently brushed her hand with the plate and she jerks her hand away and my friend apologizes telling her he was just trying to help and she rolls her eyes and says, "yea, I guess I ... read more

WSChica's profile image
15 years ago

Great place for happy hour – I'm a long time West Seattle native and long time partaker of Matador's happy hour. If you're looking for a restaurant with Tex-Mex flavor and affordability like I am, you will love Matador's happy hour. There are plenty of menu items to choose from and most of it is reeeally good (don't even get me started on their nachos....yuuuuuuuum)! Matador, you make me salivate. If it weren't for the occasional, obnoxious drunk at the bar I'd give you 5 stars. :( 

moxie222's profile image
moxie222 
17 years ago

Bartender exhibits "ill form" – Ordered a drink near last call, stepped outside to have a smoke, came back a couple minutes later, my half consumed drink remained but my change was gone. When i looked at the bartender he nervously said, "Hi" then continued, "...wasn't sure if you were coming back or not, didn't know if i should pull your drink too." Since when did Bartending become rocket science? On a pleasant note, the other bartender, Jimmy, was professional enough to come outside and light my cigarette since Matador had ... read more

LAtoSeattle's profile image
LAtoSeattle 
17 years ago

Everything's fine but the food. – Ambience and service seems aptly described by the other reviews. More upscale/stylish than your typical mexican & tex-mex fare. Good service. But after trying 4 dishes on two different occasions we must say: the margaritas are average, the food bland, and the salsa served with the chips tastes like chilled marinara from the jar. ungh. Forget "not spicy," I almost added salt to my rice and beans (and I salt nothing). Got the most flavor from the bill... Bitter, as I just paid 1.5x typical mex... read more

foodiebrown's profile image
foodiebrown 
17 years ago

Favorite West Seattle Bar – I have been meaning to write a review of my favorite West Seattle spot for some time, and I finally am doing it. I frequent the Matador almost every week, and I always have an amazing time. Highlights include the great Happy Hour food, awesome bartenders, and the most adorable and charismatic servers. One in particular, Austin, makes every experience enjoyable. Thank you Matador staff for creating such a great place to stop by after work or on the weekends. 

zebramachine's profile image
zebramachine 
17 years ago

Great Margaritas and Enchiladas – It's a little tiny bit creepy to hire exclusively female waitstaff (all young, pretty, and of approximately the same build too) and exclusively male bartenders (ditto). Once you train yourself to ignore the weirdness, you can enjoy a variety of yummy upscale margaritas, great natchos with medium rare steak on them, and fabulous spicy enchiladas in a black and red dimly lit bar that was designed to appear glamorous to Gen Y yuppies. Luckily, I sort of am one. 

angelino206's profile image
angelino206 
18 years ago

Better then Ballard for sure – I went to the Matador in Ballard countless before I finally ventured out to West Seattle. Although I don't like the trec out there, the West Seattle chefs are better. I know its strange but the food is just prepared better at this location. Dinner means Carne Asada done right. The jabenero prawns are great, as well as the steak tacos. The chocalate cake with the coconut ice cream is one of the best deserts in town. Easily one of the best happy hours in town as well. 

Frequently asked questions about The Matador

How is The Matador rated?

The Matador has a 4.4 star rating with 1,578 reviews. 

When is The Matador open?

The Matador is open now. It will close at 6:00 p.m.  

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