Charro Mexican Restaurant and Bar

Built on Family, Rooted in Flavor

Ezequiel Camacho didn't set out to build a restaurant group — he set out to give central Illinois a place where the food was real and everyone felt at home. Three locations later, that's still exactly what Charro is.

A Family Dream, Central Illinois

Ezequiel Camacho started with a simple idea rooted in his St. Louis upbringing: bring honest, heritage-driven Mexican food to communities that deserved better than the usual chains. What grew from that idea is now three locations across Decatur, Taylorville, and Springfield — each one built with the same care as the first.

Spaces Built with Purpose

No two Charro locations feel like a copy-paste — Decatur has a dual-space layout where the bar dining room and main dining room each set their own mood, while Springfield guests have said the décor makes them feel like they've stepped into Texas. These spaces were designed to make every visit feel like an occasion.

The Food That Proves It

The menu goes deeper than Tex-Mex — dishes like the chili Colorado burrito and carne asada burrito reflect traditions you can actually taste, and the salsa has earned its own following, with guests calling it "literally the best I have ever had at a restaurant." Every plate is made to remind you why from-scratch cooking still matters.

Hospitality Starts at the Top

When Charro's Springfield location opened its doors for the first time, the owner himself came out to check on every table — that's the culture here, not the exception. Whether it's a server remembering your usual order or a staff that smoothly absorbs a party that doubled in size mid-meal, the warmth at Charro comes from how the whole place is run.

Three Towns, One Table

Regulars come in weekly, families book the big booths for birthdays, and out-of-towners ask for Charro by name — that's what happens when a restaurant actually earns its place in a community. Charro isn't just somewhere to eat in central Illinois; it's where people gather.