El Sombrero #1

Beautiful place, super friendly, nice workers and amazing food! I went there with my boyfriend and we were both nervous to look for a new place to eat. But to our surprise this is one of the nicest and homey restaurants in the area :). It is nice and priced fair based on the area and quality.

I can’t decide whether the food or service is better. My sister even said this was the best Mexican restaurant she’s ever been to because everything was so fresh. We got the manhattan ceviche and steak quesadilla, best of both worlds. Not to mention the price is so reasonable everything we got was just under $50!! Unbelievable for being right by the beach

We pick this restaurant randomly and just get shocked by the delicious food and warm service! Be careful, The portions are very large, so don't order too much.

we were looking for a slightly cheaper place to eat near the manhattan pier, where everything is very expensive! saw this mexican restaurant with decent prices and a great welcoming atmosphere we were seated outside and they immediately brought us complimentary chips and dip, and ice water we decided on some fish tacos, and soup which i can’t remember the name of. the soup was so flavourful and full of great seafood ingredients as well as vegetables. it was really filling, could be its own meal! the fish tacos were very delicious as well at $6.50 each and the portions were nice the server came by often to fill our waters and ask how everything was. they knew we were on a time crunch since we had to catch the bus so they made sure everything was swift while not compromising on quality thanks for making the end to our vacation great!!

We tried the chicken burritos and a tamale. The food wasn’t very flavorful to our taste, but it was decent overall. The staff, however, was very friendly and welcoming.

El Sombrero #1 is Mexican cuisine at it's best. Taco Tuesday did not disappoint with $2.75 tacos ranging from hard or soft shell ground or shredded beef, al pastor, carnitas or chicken. Carne Asada are regular priced $5.95 and are worth their weight in gold. These are some of the best tacos we've had in the South Bay area. The flavorful meats pair well with the Micheladas and cold bottles of Negra Modelo. We were greeted with endless chips and salsa and really had a wonderful meal. Try the shrimp ceviche for seafood lovers this really pleases the taste buds. El Sombrero employs some of the nicest folks, this is family run and it really reflects on the quality of food, attention and service.

Some of the best Mexican food and hospitality in Southern California. I’ve been coming here since I was little and the quality continues to be top tier. Wonderful service and you’re practically beachside so you can’t beat the atmosphere

All the staff were very friendly & upbeat, you can tell they love their job. Margaritas were really good. The fish tacos were the best, one person in our group said they were the best they have ever had, with a big piece of grilled fish, they were delicious. The Schwarzenegger tacos were excellent too. Authentic and excellent food. Loved it!

We came in from out of town looking for authentic Mexican food. So happy we found this place. Great service and food!

First time visiting Manhattan Beach and a local pointed us to El Sombrero right by the pier. We came in late (party of 7) and the staff still took great care of us. Our server was super friendly and attentive. We ordered Viking burritos, steak quesadillas, and tacos (fish, al pastor, and carne asada). Everything was flavorful, fresh, and the meats were incredibly tender and juicy. The Viking burrito and fish tacos were my personal favorites--SO good. Awesome spot with chill vibes and great food. We'll definitely be back next time we're in town.

Woah kinda expensive $50 lunch. I had 1 taco and 1 enchilada (no beans or rice). My daughter had the fajita plate and it doesn't come out sizzling on a skillet... The food is good not great. Friendly service and great location. Obviously paying for location. Nice outdoor seating in the summer.

Another MB classic with our (and everyone's) friend Jose Luis at the door. The staff is flawless and the food ever better. Everyone has their favorites and it was the first place I tried carnitas. Had it today and again perfect. This is how restaurants should be run. Nice to see you my friend. Also great people watching!!!!

Yum!!!!! This was such a yummy treat. Located in a busy street in Manhattan Beach. We walked up at around 1 on Saturday evening and were seated immediately. They stayed busy throughout our visit however I never did see a line. The place is small with a small porch out front. I ordered the Schwarzenegger tacos which were amazing!!! Would love to order again. Their salsa is spicy but so so good! 100% recommend!

This place is so good! Don't sleep on the Schwarzenegger tacos. Limited seating but very quick service!

Great taco Tuesday! Be sure to come on the earlier side as you will have to wait. Location is close to the beach and parking in downtown MB can be a challenge. Service was great and friendly! Tacos were sizable and a great price. Only exception to taco Tuesday was the carne asada as that was still regular price. We tried a variety of tacos and enjoyed them all. Beers were cheap too!

Quick recap: - Food: Mediocre - Portion size: Average to large - Service: Good - Environment: Casual mexican - $: Average - Perks: Some outdoors table More details: A bit disappointed by the price/quality ratio. The food is mediocre - not good, not bad, but prices should be lower accordingly. It is definitely more a quantity than a quality place. Staff is nice though. Overall? Would quality this place as a "Mexican diner"

Went on a beach walk with coworkers sunday morning and decided on lunch at Wl Sombrero. small restaurant but there was space on the patio as well as inside. we did get there around noon with a party of 13 and were seated immediately. we split between 2 tables but totally fine with that. service was great the servers were very attentive and good came out fast. very tasty, and awesome prices. would def visit again.

Good spot! Service is great! Guacamole is delicious! The tacos were pretty good. The chicken bowl also pretty good, it's missing a sauce but definitely tasty. We got the kids chicken bowl for the baby and her food may have been the best, the pulled chicken was delicious. If you're looking for good Mexican food and a casual spot come here!

The staff is so friendly and the food comes out hot and fast! Just how I like it. Complimentary salsa and homemade chips. I got the guacamole and it's very creamy and smooth. Tasty but don't expect chunks. Viking burrito: 8.5/10 Super solid wet burrito! For starters it was freaking massive and full of all the good stuff. Plenty of meat and fillings, and I loved the green salsa! My only qualm was the carne asada was a bit tough but still fairly good. I would highly recommend coming here for a good wet burrito!

The chips and salsa are good, I just wish they gave more so I didn't have to ask several times. The shrimp cocktail was amazing and probably one of the best I've had. They give lots of large shrimp and avocado throughout rather than just on top of the glass. Very refreshing to eat on a hot day. I definitely will go back for this. The tamale and taco I had were good as well, but nothing special. Service was good. Restaurant is small with some inside seating and a small patio that I sat at and enjoyed.

A very friendly, warm and welcoming staff. Food is average. I ordered a Viking burrito for $17.99 and requested shredded beef instead of carne asada. I received a cold carne asada burrito instead. Not sure about their margarita game but they do not contain tequila. Ambiance is spartan, not upscale, not a picnic table. For Manhattan Beach, El Sombrero works but for me, I'd rather eat at El Amigo or Zacatecas on the other side of town. Not awful and not amazing. 3 stars - love the friendly staff!

Ended up here because the other spot had an hour wait and we are so glad it did. The spot is small and gives you a home feel. My spouse loves Mexican and stated that, it was the best burrito ever eaten. So I know it was delicious. We will come back when we return to Manhattan Beach.

This is an amazing little Mexican restaurant a few blocks from the pier. Indoor and outdoor dining, casual, and the friendliest servers you'll ever meet. I've been here three times, today I ordered the tacos Dorados, the grilled shrimp tacos. Fantastic in every way.. And, it's not expensive. Street parking only, try those grilled shrimp tacos they're out of this world!

One of the best wet burritos I've had in a while. The carne asada was perfectly cooked, if you want authentic Mexican food go here.

I had a great time at El Sombrero. Getting seated was fast and easy and they quickly bring you chips and salsa, which is good as I've noticed some restaurants have actually stopped serving free chips and salsa. I had a mango margarita and it was delicious. I started to order another one but I was already full. For food I had the two shrimp tacos with the rice and beans. Everything was very flavorful and I really enjoyed it. The staff were attentive and would come around often to ask if we needed anything. Overall solid spot!

Easily my favorite restaurant in Manhattan beach. Been going for years. And the staff is the best! I highly encourage you get the #2 & if you're order takeout... the chicken tacos.

Great place for breakfast. Who knew??? Service was excellent-- I mean, honestly, really excellent. The woman was friendly and attentive and our coffee cups never ran empty. The portions are big and everything was tasty. Usually a chorizo burrito leaves your plate soaked in grease, but not here. Sign of higher quality ingredients. The coffee had a slight cinnamon taste which was a nice surprise, too. Prices are competitive and the booths are big and comfy. We'll definitely be back!

I highly recommend this place because the customer hospitality service is first class treatment with beyond excellent authentic food and you will return again

el sombrero is a local favorite! located in dtmb visited on mother's day we opted to sit in their patio, we arrived at the perfect time, there was no wait and we got to pick whichever table service was amazing! ambiance was wonderful! i love the type of places that make you feel like you are home we did not have a specific waitress or waiter, there was at least 5 different people making sure we had everything we needed they offer chips and salsa for the table, also refillable ordered: carnitas burrito - wet BUT with their "chipotle mole" sauce x2 i also ordered a shredded beef hard shell taco (thanks to all the reviews) everything was sooo delicious! like so good i would have gone again today parking: metered street or parking garage

I dropped by here with some friends when we were looking for a quick bite around the Manhattan Beach area. The restaurant seemed family-friendly and despite the bustling atmosphere, the staff was able to get us seated and served quickly. We got complementary chips and salsa which seemed pretty fresh and I got the Viking Burrito, one of the most popular items on the menu. Although the flavor was great, there were moments where I thought they were a little too generous with the amount of sour cream in the dish.

My first time here & it was a 10/10 So delicious!! I've always passed by here & never ate there but I'm so glad I finally did! We got to seat ourselves where ever & we got endless chips & salsa & our drinks were brought out super fast as well as our food that tasted freaking phenomenalThe servers were really nice & always checking to see what else we needed. The music was bumpin & we were the last ones there hehe + the ambience was inviting!

My friend and I stopped by El Sombrero for a quick bite before heading to Manhattan Beach, and the location couldn't be more convenient--right next to the beach! The restaurant is pretty small, but we were able to choose our seats, which was nice because it was a beautiful day! (we chose to sit outside) Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by the staff and handed menus, with the option to be seated when we were ready. We stayed and were lucky enough to have Rajo as our server. He was incredibly kind and attentive throughout our meal. I ordered the beef enchiladas with rice and beans, while my friend had the shrimp fajita burrito. Both dishes were fresh, hot, and absolutely delicious. I'll definitely be returning to this restaurant--great food, excellent service, and a cozy, affordable spot in the perfect location!

Literally the BEST Mexican food in the South Bay! The servers are all so friendly and we love being greeted with a warm "Welcome Home!" We have been coming here for years with our girls and I love that they still call us all "Princesses." It is our go-to place to celebrate a birthday or when friends are visiting from out of town and are craving a good casual Mexican meal. Everything is good - tacos, enchiladas, burritos, you can't go wrong! Prices are some of the most reasonable in the area and portions are huge. Chips and salsa hit the spot and they have no problem giving seconds or thirds. Don't miss this gem in Manhattan Beach. We hope this place NEVER goes out of business!!!

Overall enjoyed this place. Started with chips and salsa. Absolutely loved it. For the main, I had a taco plate with both fish and shrimp. Over-all good but was not a huge fan of the pink sauce. Would love to check-out there wet burritos next time! The place itself was not anything fancy. Just an old school Mexican restaurant. Outside seating was nice for people watching but will likely request inside seating next time. Prices were fair. Nothing nuts (especially for the location). Service is where this place shines. The staff was amazing. Everyone has a smile on their face and was quick to provide top-tier service. The service along would bring me back.

"Welcome Home!" Others should take notes on El Sombrero's customer service. We were greeted as if we were family. Everyone was so kind and accommodating, especially since one of our guests had a food allergy. The food came out super hot and it was delicious!!! I ordered the Number 2 Combination Plate, which came with two chicken enchiladas and rice and beans. The enchilada could've had more sauce since the chicken inside was a bit dry, but I loved the flavor overall. They also provide free chips and salsa. Bathrooms available for customers. It's very close to the Manhattan Beach pier, so it's a great spot to eat on your next beach day!! Street parking is tough to find on weekends but it's available. Ample indoor and outdoor seating. Loved the decorations especially for spring. Thank you for the great service!!

This is as good of Mexican food as I've had in this part of town. The food was delicious, we went Carne Asada plate and Cerviche appetizer with flan for dessert. The service was very kind. This is a good place to stop for food. The ambiance was that of Cinco de Mayo even though it was just your average Sunday. Nice place. Lastly split the plates because they're huge! Gracias Sombrero!

We spent a couple of nights in Manhattan Beach with the family, and El Sombrero was one of the restaurants we tried during our stay in the city. We called in our order, and drove to the restaurant to pick up our food. They are located in a very busy part of Manhattan Beach. Took me about 10 minutes to find a parking spot, but fortunately I found a metered parking spot close to the restaurant. The staff was busy helping the many customers in their small restaurant. Took awhile before a staff member could help us. The food was packed up well, and everything we ordered was correct. Pretty impressive because we ordered a lot of food for the seven of us. It was a mixed reaction for all of us. 4 in our group were happy with their food. 3 of us thought the food was just okay. I was one of the folks who thought the food was just A-okay. My order was the Wet Carnitas Burrito. The burrito was not very "Wet". There was not much sauce on top of that burrito. Maybe there was not much sauce because it was a takeout order? I don't know, but it sure could have used more sauce on top of it. I found the burrito to be dry with not enough sauce. The flavor of the carnitas was okay, but I've tasted better from many other Mexican restaurants. The Chips were large, but they were stale. Perhaps if we had eaten the food at El Sombrero, then my order would have been better. May have to try them again the next time we are in Manhattan Beach.

Best place - nicest staff. Hope this place stays forever. It's a South Bay staple. Highly recommend and feel free to bring the kids

Poor execution with everything. Was looking forward to trying this place out but was INCREDIBLY disappointed in my order. I ordered both chicken and carne asada tacos to-go. Now, first. Inside of the restaurant was beautiful, clean, and a vibe. However, upon opening my to-go order, it was sloppy, lazy, and SOGGY. The meat was flavorless; the asada was chewy, the chicken was tough and dry. They put the sauce on the tacos making them even more soggy that the corn tortillas (which you only get one) became unmanageable. They weren't heated, either. The rice was undercooked and bland. The beans were okay AT BEST. I spent over $100 for this meal and somehow, I feel like if I would have spent $50 on tacobell, I would have been much more satisfied. For as much as I paid and what little effort was put into this is astonishing. I would suggest to whoever is putting together the to-go orders/cooks--put sauce, onions, and cilantro ON THE SIDE. If you're going to charge so much, get smaller corn tortillas and double up. Heat up the tortillas so they wont fall apart. Hopefully, they were just having a bump in the road and that not all of their food is like this. I wish good things for this place, but I would not recommend this if people what I ordered....

The food was very delicious and the service was great. I best on the patio enjoying the Manhattan Beach breeze. I have found my new favorite Mexican restaurant.

This place is casual and fantastic... dropped in for lunch today - had the Chile Verde Burrito (substituted chicken) - delicious! Massive portions - took half home for dinner, my friend had tacos - ate 2 and then got a 3rd. Chips and salsa also hit the spot. Service was fantastic - even at busy lunch hour... so much better than Pancho's. parking at Metlox underground is easy at lunch (park before 11:30 on summer weekends). $$ Cost: Cheap vs. nearby alternatives...

Great visit! World class service! Excellent food! Loved the whole tortilla chips and salsa which are complimentary. Fresh made salsa and a great taco sauce. Excellent! Started with some chicken taquitos which were served up with a side of guacamole. These taquitos were king! Great ones! Just perfect. Been craving this food since moving away from Los Angeles. Even had a few Carta Blanca Beers! My favorite Mexican beer. Can't find this brand in south Florida, let alone decent Mexican food. Main meal was Carnitas plate with rice and beans. Fantastic! I order this as my go to dish at any Mexican restaurant to judge greatness. Greatness is being served up At El Sombrero! Overall this is a great Mexican spot. Looking forward to stopping in again.

5 stars on food 5 stars on value 5 stars on service!! We get their shredded beef tacos. The BEST!!! The shells are crunchy and soft at the same time. Hard to describe. The shredded beef is moist and full of flavor. Topped with fresh tomatoes lettuce and cheese. But the service is always great too. Rosario was our server last week. She is Phenomenal!!! Rigo was our server last night, and he was equally good!! Going to el Sombrero has become a weekly tradition for us!!

The only issue here is the lack of parking (free or paid), but that is true of nearly every beach town. I mean, there is parking; it's hard to find an empty spot, though! Manhattan Beach didn't keep up with growth. If you do not mind a little bit of a stroll, you could park at the parking structure to the north. But it's been so long since I've been to this location of El Sombrero that I forgot how far the walk is. It might be too far for a disabled or frail person that has a difficult time walking. But for a healthy person that's wearing comfortable shoes, it should not be a problem. The food is fantastic. The prices are reasonable. The square footage of the restaurant is quite minimal. But again, that's because of the location. There's no avoiding that right next to the strand in Manhattan Beach. I haven't been to this location in a long time because I'm a large person and I feel crowded here. I don't like having to squeeze between the backs or corners of two occupied chairs to get to my table. That might not be an accurate representation of the floor plan, as I haven't been there in a long time, but that's how it feels to me as a 225-lb, 5'7" obese person, which isn't their fault. Also, I'm very sensitive to environments where I can hear the conversations that of a lot of people talking at once. And this place is very loud and echoey. So we usually go to the Artesia Blvd. location: more room for me to walk inside the restaurant & more parking.

Overall decent food, service and friendliness of staff was exceptional. Ordered a taco and chili rellanao combo, not on the menu but they accommodated for the same price as a similar combo. $13.99 Rice was a little dry, salsa was good with just a hint of heat. Biggest drawback is that it is in downtown Manhattan beach so parking can be an issue. Would go back again.

Awesome Mexican spot in the heart of Manhattan Beach. Had a vegetarian breakfast burrito, and it was delicious. Generous portions for about $15. Chips and salsa are served when you're seated, which I enjoyed. Recommend trying a wet burrito. Service was friendly and attentive. Check it out and hope you enjoy!

El Sombrero is a smashing good time. The cocktails are delicious, the food is scrumptious, and the service was absolutely amazing. It's on the smaller side, but there is ample seating and outdoor options as well! There is a bug variety of menu items to choose from. I enjoyed the cheese and chicken enchiladas!

Delicious food, nice little Mexican spot in the heart of the city. Nothing fancy at all, you know exactly what to expect.

Made my first visit here for lunch last week with my wife and one of my daughters. My wife and I also had our dog with us so needed a pet friendly place and El Sombrero was perfect. I ordered the Viking Burrito that had Carne Asada, beans, rice, sour cream, and guacamole inside. It came topped with melted cheese and a tasty green tomatillo sauce. Everything about it was good and it'd size will fill you up. My wife also order a burrito but hers had carnitas inside. My daughter ordered the Enchiladas Suizas, and both said their food was good. We were also provided chips and salsa when we were first seated. The salsa was good and the staff refilled both when we asked for more Finally the staff were excellent. Everyone from our server/waitress on down were courteous, helpful, and all were as helpful as can be. If the people that helped us moved on to another restaurant I would start going there just because their service was so good.

Food was great and everyone was very attentive. Ambiance is great and the owner Jose Luis is very kind and welcoming. Highly recommend this place. Will be coming back regularly.

This place was wonderful. It had great service, good food, and reasonably-priced. I particularly liked the ceviche, which came filled with tangy shrimp. I ordered 3 tacos for my main meal. I like the choices and the variety of flavor that I got. I got fish, Al pastor, carne asada. Parking is hard to find at Manhattan beach area. But you can find parking and then walk to the restaurant. The staff were very friendly. We had 4 kids with us and they all had a wonderful time. There were lots of options for kids. We were fortunate that the place was not packed. So we had an adult table and a kids table. I highly recommend this place when you're in the area.

Love coming to this place while I'm at Manhattan Beach. The food is authentic, non pretentious and affordable. Highly recommend trying the beef bowl, burrito, and Chile relleno.

This review is only in regard to the service we received today. I've been coming here with my family for over a decade now. We've always appreciated the friendly and helpful staff. However, today there was a new (to us) server named Ana. We were absolutely appalled by her terrible service and treatment. If a manager or owner sees this review, can you please reach out to me to discuss?

I came here with a friend for taco Tuesday around 7pm. We didn't have reservations, but we're seated within 5 minutes. The tacos were delicious and so reasonable @ $2.75 each for taco Tuesday (not advertised on menu, but we asked our server). Chips & salsa were complimentary and we found the service to be very attentive. The ambiance was great. Just what you would imagine at a Mexican spot by the beach. Very chill & relaxed, nothing fancy but great food that hits the spot. I would definitely go back!

I like their burritos. They are on a busy street and there are a lot of people walking and driving by, which does detract from the ambiance, but I like their burritos enough to still go there. The guy who works there who I talked to was a nice guy.

The food is very good. I think they should use less ice in the drinks. You're only allowed one refill. Ask for easy ice or no ice in your drinks.

So 5 stars right off the bat because what I have and the way it was pulled off was a foodie's dream! The restaurant ambience is quaint and conservative local Mexican cafe .BUT the dish was stellar!!! It was the best most unique Mexican dish I've ever had from a place with that type of feel. The flavors and quality hit a solid home run ! I had the mango margarita which came as they suggested. It was perfectly flavored with so much mango flavor it had to be real purée used to make it. 10 outta 10 must get . Now for the entree . I went in not so hungry- looking for maybe a taco or 2 but when I read the description for the Schwarzenegger taco I knew that was for me. It was so perfect- flavors temperature at time of service, quality of the ingredients! I highly recommend to any foodie in the area, just go try this! And if you are just looking for a chill little low key affordable cafe close to the Manhattan Beach- this is your spot. Super nice folks and they were open late serving dinner.