El Sombrero Express

2 Reviews on “El Sombrero Express”

• Rob Paul

  MOSTLY A TAKEOUT JOINT ON THE EAST MESARecently there are five star reviews and one star reviews on Yelp for El Sombrero Express. What is one to believe? Well, if you have any brains you don’t believe the folks on Yelp. El Sombrero Express is ranked number FORTY among Mexican food restaurants in town for the total dining experience. But, then again, it doesn’t have much in the way of a dining experience.The restaurant is small inside and geared mostly for takeout. It is clean and somewhat attractive with about seven tables out in front of a counter and a kitchen area. There is also a patio out front with about six tables. Order at the counter and they bring the food to your table.. … or, they bag it for you to go. It seems as if they offer the same menu as the main restaurant does. Prices are the norm. No tipping here. That always accounts for why some people think it’s five star. No free salsa and chips either.I have dined here several times but in 2018 I hit the place during a rush and found myself sitting next to a long line of people waiting in line to order or to pick up previously ordered food. Literally, the line of people was six inches off my arm, with people standing over my shoulder as I tried to eat. Not a pleasant experience. This day the food prep took about 13-18 minutes. The guys in the kitchen seemed to be working full-speed. The people working the counter I’ve always found efficient and pleasant. But, when I ordered stuffed sopapillas they never asked if I wanted them smothered, which I did. I assumed they would come that way….but no. Stupid me. My bad. When my meal arrived they had it all wrapped up in a bag and ready to take out. Then I realized that the young man at the counter also neglected to ask if I was dining in or taking the food out. He assumed I was taking the order out….I guess. Again, stupid me. I guess I should have been smart enough to express the fact that I was dining in. Again, my bad.The stuffed sopapillas were ok as far as the pastry shells go. The one with red chile was tasty and spicy. The green chile had little meat and a ton of refried beans mixed with a little potato. It had very little green chile flavor. It was like eating nothing but refried beans in a sopapilla….yuck! A thick and tasteless lump. I left this sopapilla half eaten. It went into the can. There is no way a qualified chef could have put that together.I also ordered their mango pineapple drink. It was somewhat refreshing but it really had little flavor to recommend it. It was weak and I would not waste my money on it again.What to expect if you go: A very small dining area. You may want to dine on the outdoor patio. Service is pleasant but marginal in quality. During the times I’ve been there the staff suffered from a lack of training. The food is prepared by a bunch of young guys with, I would guess, a lack of experience. You may get a decent meal, but you cannot count on it.MEXICAN FOOD RATING = IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF THIRTY, BUT A LOT OF INCONSISTENCY HERE.Restaurant rating = THREE STARS for the total dining experience, meaning, pretty mediocre as a whole.

  January 13, 2019, 5:05 am

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• Da Bouz

  Super good, I’m from Canada and found myself here. Dude at the counter was super helpful explained all the dishes very well and made good suggestions. My mouth is on fire(that’s a good thing) full of flavor and a nice plate to even look at. Thanks

  May 23, 2016, 6:44 am

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