El Comal North Park

There’s a Mexican rule that says you should never try Mexican food outside Mexico, but El Comal in North Park is the exception. The dishes here truly capture authentic Mexican flavor. We ordered the pozole, and although the hominy could use a bit more of that chewy consistency you find back home, the taste was rich and traditional. The tampiqueña was delicious, perfectly seasoned, and satisfying. The nopal salad could use just a touch more Mexican spice, but overall everything was very good. The service was outstanding, friendly, and attentive. And a special mention goes to the agua de horchata, an absolute delight.

My husband and I have been looking for delicious, authentic mexican restaurants and I’m glad we stumbled upon this place as we strolled through North Park. The food was delicious! Out of this world! The place was surrounded with beautiful colors with a beautiful Mexican aesthetic theme. The server was extremely friendly, welcoming and kept checking in to see if we needed anything else. I will definitely be coming back! 10/10.

Amazing Sunday brunch experience! The flavor and the atmosphere brought me back to the years I lived in Mexico City. The Chilaquiles were spectacular. I did t eat the burrito, but was told that it was also amazing. Definitely hit this spot if you're craving great Mexican food, not CalMex, but Mexican 😁

Best Mole in the city that I have found. Friendly staff. A little bit expensive, but thats only because I paid for chips and guacamole, but the guacamole is too good not to have it with your meal.

Love this place! I went there for my birthday recently, and I was treated exceptionally special by the staff. The place itself is not very impressive, but it has an old authentic charm about it that makes you feel at home. The food is better than what you get in Old Town, and you can taste the care that goes into preparing the dishes. There is an external eating area if you want to be outside, but it is still very cozy.

Great meal! The queso fundido wasn’t super flavorful but they had chicharrones and the rest of the meal was great. Definitely will come back to try the fish! Edited: changed my review to 5 stars after our second visit. The whole fish was perfect, as was the burrito. Fantastic service and they were even patient enough to let us practice our Spanish 😆

With all the choices for Mexican food in North Park, this one is special. The food is authentically special and the cozy atmosphere gives it a local vibe. We went there for breakfast because the Posole was highly recommended, which my wife was dying to have. She was not disappointed and my chorizo was excellent as well. I need to come back to try the Posole. Highly recommend.

Red Mole Enchiladas and Carne Asada Burrito were really good. The Cadillac Margarita was the best I've ever had. Our waiter was super nice. Like we heard another couple say, this place lived up to the hype!

Sat outside in their cute patio that had a gentle breeze. We ordered 2 red pozoles & their pozole was SO GOOD. Haven't had a good authentic pozole in a restaurant like that in years. Their horchata & hot chocolate was super good too, happy we stopped in! Heads up, finding parking on the weekend was hell but it was definitely worth it!

My wife and I dropped in on a slow Saturday afternoon; she had a craving for Caldo Tlalpeño. I'd wanted to try this place out for several years, but had never gotten the chance. We were seated swiftly and given our menus. Water came quickly and our drink orders were taken. Drinks were delivered swiftly and our food order was taken. Our cucumber margaritas were delicious! My wife loved her caldo. The broth was rich and tasty, the chicken and veggies were tender. I had Tampiqueña with arrachera, a flauta, and a chicken enchilada. All three were excellent. The steak was tender and savory, and the flauta and enchilada were very tasty. The corn tortillas were handmade, soft and fluffy. The rice was excellent - also fluffy, not stickly or oily, and very good flavor. The beans were outstanding. I recommend El Comal for the wonderful service, good drinks, and excellent food!

So so so good! Was in town for comic con and I'm glad I got to try this place with my friends who are local too. They have awesome and legit chips and guac. We had a great time, everything's so so good. From the rice, guac, drinks, meat, everything! My octopus taco was fantastic ! I love octopus so it's hard to find place that serves this. When we came around 6 pm , it was empty, but it started filling up and by 8 pm, it's a full house. They have tons of seats, but parking in North Park is always challenging. The vibe is very homey.

I had a wonderful breakfast there this morning. Machaca Con Huevos and some delicious coffee to go with it. It was WONDERFUL! Along with 3 handemade corn tortillas and a bit of red and green salsa. Absolutely DELICIOUS! I could not finish it all, so I'll have the rest for breakfast tomorrow. I look forward to another trip there to try more things on the menu. SO many things to try! There is also a bar and a nice covered patio for dining outside. GO! ENJOY!

My girlfriend found this cozy family style Mexican restaurant in North park. We decided to try it out before our North park bar hopping. The menu items and drinks are quite different than the usual taco shops. I tried the pork sausage hash with egg, which is delicious with good portion. My girlfriend got the mole, which the sauce is pretty unique and delicious as well. The place is not big, has some outdoor seatings and the service is friendly and attentive.

Rocio nos asistio! Excelente servicio atencion y muy agradable persona. :):):). La mejor!

Have had trouble finding really good Mexican food in San Diege, which is a real surprise. El Comal delivers against anything I might find in LA or the OC. Got the Pachuga de polla, Adobada style, which came with nopales rice, beans, and a salad. GF got a fish taco and a taco suave with chicken. All the food was great. Had this bookmarked for a while and am so glad we made it here. Highly recommend.

We stopped in on a cold rainy day to have soup and it was delicious! My daughter got the Pasole and I had the Menudo. The cherry on top were the tortillas. Soooo good. Parking is horrible but if you park in the public parking down the street and take a short walk it's worth it.

Yeah, this place has the good stuff. It's not a gentrification hipster gastropub with $25, it's just the real deal. Servers smiling and looking like you're favorite auntie, everything on the menu is good. The posole was a homerun, to me. I had the red, but hear that the green is fantastic as well. Ambiance is... let's say classic. Sure, a bit dated, but did you really want them to double the prices and make it mid-century modern? No, me neither. Lovely option.

Born and raised in San Diego and I've never been to El Comal! I made it my mission to change that quickly. I decided to check them out on a Saturday afternoon around 3/3:30pm for a very late lunch. The space was all ours! He he We choose our seat, and our waitress came over before long. We started off with the queso fundido and added chorizo. O M G. A must order for anyone who is able to eat dairy. You will not regret your decision. It comes with 3-4 large tortillas for scooping, dipping, taco style. However, whatever your preference. Let's take a moment to talk about the wonderful tortillas- I saw the masa delivery truck guy outside- La Estrellita. Yummy the masa was so good, and the tortillas on the thicker side. They are larger, so you know, have 1-2 if you're watching your waistline. Either way come prepare to refrain from goodness (delicious tortillas) or come prepare to let your guard down and eat as many as your heart desires! Drinks- ample selection given the size of the establishment. Good job with your selections. Food- I ordered one Taco Azteca (carne asada with nopales) and one Taco cochinita pibil (slow roasted pork). The Taco Azteca was a bit of a letdown. The cactus didn't add up, sum up, mesh well with the carne asada and the rest of the ingredients. The cactus was served on the colder side and so it made the carne asada room temp. Not cool Robert Frost, not cool. The Cochinita pibil taco was a totally different story. The story: delicious. Will order it again next time for sure. Also- had one of their pomegranate mojitos it was on the sweeter side, not strong enough but refreshing.

Our first family trip to the North Park area, looking for a little Mexican food for brunch. I am so glad we came up on this restaurant! The name itself already got me when we looked for local nearby "Mexican Restaurants". "El Comal" is something my Abuela was always cooking on... so I figured with a name like this... let's check it out! If you're looking for an incredible dining experience with unbeatable hospitality, look no further! This Mexican restaurant delivers on all fronts--exceptional service, welcoming attitudes, and an atmosphere that makes every visit unforgettable. From the moment we walked in, the staff greeted us with genuine warmth and enthusiasm, setting the tone for an amazing evening. Their friendly energy and attentiveness made us feel like valued guests, ensuring that every detail was just right. The prices? Absolutely excellent! With plenty of specials available, It was hard trying to decide what to get being it was our first time here and all. Deciding where to sit was a challenge--not because of anything lacking, but because both the indoor and outdoor dining areas were equally inviting. The patio, basking in perfect weather, offered an exquisite al fresco experience, while the indoor space was cozy and amazingly decorated. Everything our family ordered was very well seasoned and home made! The highlight? Their house-made horchata. Unlike many places that use premade mixes, this horchata was fresh, smooth, and the perfect complement to our meal. One visit wasn't enough--we'll definitely be back soon! If you're searching for a Mexican restaurant that goes above and beyond in every aspect, this is the place to be. Highly recommended!

If you're sick or hungover this is the place to go. Their caldo de pollo is amazing. This is typically what I get when I go. Feels like a hug in a bowl. They change up the veggies every now and then. I usually get a large to-go. Their prices are fair. Their drinks imo are not that great, but it's a solid quaint Mexican spot with decent food. Second favorite is their enchiladas. This is my go-to comfort food spot in North Park.

The food was delicious. The queso fundido was delicious and the hand made tortillas are to die for!! I ordered the carne asada breakfast. My only complaint was the cut of meat they use for the carne asada. Other than that it is excellent. We also tried their whole red snapper. It had a beautiful red sauce with olives and capers. The decor was cute and they have a nice patio. The service was excellent. I will definitely be back!

My Husband comes from three generations of a family run eatery. Serving outstanding Mexican food. He is very hard to impress, and compares all Mexican cuisine to his Grandmother's... Well he and I were very impressed tonight!!! Hubby said the pork tamales with red sauce was a close second to his... you guessed it... his Grandma's! LoL My chicken enchiladas were the very best I've ever eaten!!! The beans were perfect, and the rice nicely moist. I judge Mexican restaurants based on their rice... seriously! The staff were so accommodating and friendly. Just another reason why we will make this our regular go to place from here on out. If you enjoy flavorful food, you will NOT be disappointed here.

With so many choices in North Park, this one is a must! Event for breakfast and all of our selections were top notch. I had the chorizo, sister had the machaca and wife had the posole. The atmosphere is cozy and service was great. We highly recommend any our choices but my wife definitely says their posole rivals any she's ever had.

Love this place! The vibes and food are always right. They sell great merch too. Great for a solo lunch or dinner with family. :)

I was in San Diego this past weekend for my birthday and wasn't really sure where to go for dinner. Kind of ended up at this place at random. No other restaurants looked all that great and somehow we ended up here. Let me start with the negative first which isn't about the restaurant itself. This neighborhood is terrible for parking, has dim lighting and people don't like to stop for the stop signs. Be careful out there. Once you get past the neighborhood and the parking and actually get to the restaurant it's great. The service was top notch and the food was so good. Everything we tried was great. One thing that was a bit annoying was trying to figure out what to eat based off the Yelp photos. Many things you'll see pictured here do not exist at the restaurant anymore. I would definitely come back in the future if I was in the area.

Food was pretty good! Our party didn't love the beans, but everything else was delicious. Our service was wonderful even though our server was very busy. The place itself was pretty crowded at dinner time so you definitely sit close to others.

We must have come at an off time because the service was a little slow and confusing. We were sat immediately, outside which was lovely. We put in our order and it seemed we may have been forgotten about. I had the Arnold Palmer which was made with the house lemonade and it was so perfect! We ordered the queso fundido con rajas and I opted for the vegetable sope. Though we got all our food at the same time it came out hot. It was really delicious. They forgot two items we had ordered but we just requested they cancel them which ended up not being an issue. I would come back as they have a ton of vegetarian options and the food was tasty.

A very legit Latina coworker recommended her very legit Mexican friend's restaurant: El Comal. It's off the main streets of North Park, sneakily tucked away. Not much in ambience, but its clean, you're here for the food. The food is real Mexican, and real good! Most of the clientele seemed to be Latino. Service is a bit on the slower side, but good things come to those who wait! I've eaten here multiple times! $9 CORN FLAUTAS...Chicken or beef, 5 hot crispy rolled tacos topped with lettuce, guacamole, diced tomatoes, crema, cotija and guacamole, makes for a good appetizer too $65 PARRILLADA...Mexican BBQ? 2 Smoked tender pork chops, 2 grilled chicken breast, and 2 grilled juicy marinated steaks, accompanied with all the fixings, rice, beans, guacamole, pico de Gallo, and tortillas. Plenty for 2-3 people, maybe even 4 people if y'all are light eaters. $13.50 BISTEK RANCHERO BURRITO...juicy tender pieces of steak in its own unique marinade, with crema, cheese, avocado, rice and beans. Delicious! $21 MOLE CON POLLO An old traditional recipe, using the most complex of sauces from México, perfectly balanced and served over grilled chicken breast. The rich chocolatity sauce is divine and delicious, making Willy Wonka envious of its secrets.

I really want to love El Comal, but it just misses the mark for me. I have been 3 times now and each time I leave underwhelmed. My first qualm is the lack of chips and salsa upon arrival. My opinion is that it is common and expected that chips and salsa be provided to customers when they go to a Mexican restaurant, and I find it in poor taste to not do so unless it's ordered and charged for. The food is okay, but it's definitely not my favorite Mexican food in San Diego. It has a different twist to it and I'm sure it's wonderful to some, it's just not up my alley. For example, I love the orange-ish Spanish rice and the rice here is white and fairly flavorless. This most recent visit I opted for the chicken soup and the quality of the chicken was awful. Every piece had fat and chewy pieces attached to it, so I ended up just eating broth the veggies. I hadn't been in a few years prior to this visit and I was shocked to see how much the prices have skyrocketed as well. There are much better Mexican restaurants in San Diego where you also get more bang for your buck, in my opinion. With that said, our waitress was incredibly friendly and attentive, and the outdoor patio is so very cute with a really fun ambiance.

What better way to end a long stressful rainy day than with a steaming bowl of pozole! Phone call to pickup in maybe ten minutes. Huge serving of verde pozole with all the fixings. Delicious and I'll be back to try more. Ate it so fast I didn't have time for pictures lol

The food was decent. Was really looking forward to the Mole, but it was okay. The hubs got tacos and a burrito and the burrito was really good.

The outside is very unassuming, but the inside is traditional, Mexican flavor. Bright vibrant colors, amazing wait staff, and lots of cool things to look at! We came here for brunch and had the huevos rancheros,, which was excellent. The beans and rice are true, and the salsas were perfect. Also The Mole is super rich And delicious and I believe the restaurant is associated with Puebla! MX !! They have a full bar, and no shortage of tequilas - El Comal is the most authentic Mexican restaurant I've been to here in San Diego. Will be back Buen Trabajo Mejor !

Unapologetically authentic. Some of the best homemade tortillas you will ever experience. Cochinita Pibil!!! If you haven't heard of it before, you should really treat yourself and try it. Service is friendly, and the cucumber margarita is a refreshing treat on a hot day. The ambiance is eclectic. Gotta love a family restaurant where you get a little peek at the back office ;) It's the real deal here. You'll love it!

Great customer service, warm atmosphere and our waiter was very attentive. The food was delicious and fresh. We will definitely come back again. Such an awesome place to get authentic fresh Mexican food.

Finally came back after far too long. This place is still absolutely delicious. The tortillas are fresh, the carne asada is tasty. The chips and guacamole are definitely a must. The bar is always friendly and the margaritas are some of the best I've had. Definitely recommend this place next time you're looking for a dine-in Mexican restaurant. Seating both indoor and outdoor now that we have these warm summer nights.

The prices have gone up to the point, I don't know if I will come back. I like their soups, but $19 for a bowl of albondigas and no complimentary chips and salsa is not a good value

I was craving for Mexican food and we ended up here at EL COMAL. I always want to order PARILLADA whenever I see one on a Menu 'coz I have boys with a big Appetite. We ordered quick and got : *PARILLADA - 2 smoked pork chops, 2 grilled chickens, and 2 grilled steaks, accompanied with rice, beans, guacamole, pico de gallo, and tortilla. *BARBACOA DE CHIVO - Steamed GOAT in a light guajillo marinade. *COCHINITA PIBIL - Classic yucatan style PORK rubbed in achiote and marinated in sour orange. *CUCUMBER MARGARITA *CAFE DE OLLA We sat at their Outdoor seating area 'coz we have our dog with us, they are very Pet friendly here! When our Parillada came, it was sizzling so Hot, it was like music to my Ears. :) When the Parillada came, I already knew my Son will enjoy the different kinds of meats in it and wrapping them in the Tortilla. All of the meats were Tender and very Tasty, I love this dish. Under the meats there is a lot of Cactus too, I ate all of them 'coz it's not often I see cactus in the menu around. Our Goat and Pork came and both meats came with GARLIC fried rice. At the beginning, I thought the Rice would be meh. Omg it's a very simple looking rice, but when I tried it I immediately called our server and ordered more Fried rice. Their Fried rice was so good, it was so tasty that my Son didn't use the Tortilla for his Parillada. He ate the Parillada with rice instead :) The BARBACOA DE CHIVO (Goat) and the COCHINITA PIBIL (Pork) was reccomended by our server 'coz she said it's one of their popular dishes, and she was right, they were both good. It was my Son's first time trying a Goat and he likes it. Both Goat and Pork were very tender and so Flavorful. Ths only thing I would like to see next time when we come to Visit again is that they Wipe the excess Smudges on our Bowl or Plates 'coz I had to wipe them off myself. In the picture, my Bowl of Beans in the Parillada has Smudges outside the Bowl, please wipe it off before delivering it to the table. But overall, the Foods were good and the servers were very Friendly!

We're thankfully within walking distance to El Comal, however I would recommend setting aside extra time to find parking since street parking nearby is usually sparce. We loved this place! The cozy interior was welcoming and they also have outdoor seating available. We went for dinner on a weekday and it was fairly quiet so the servers were very attentive! Now in terms of the food, we ordered the following: -Surf and turf special - The portion was fairly large and the meat/shrimp were cooked very well, not dry or chewy. Overall a very tasty dish with an ample supply of fresh tortillas that also came with the cochinita pibil (we ordered corn tortillas). -Cochinita pibil - The stewed meat was very tender and the sauce was wonderful wrapped in a warm tortilla. This was definitely our favorite dish of the night! -Plaintains w/ ice cream - Although we were full from our entrees, I couldn't resist some fried plantains with ice cream. They did not disappoint; we absolutely demolished dessert!

This was one of the most legit bowls of pozole that I've had in some time. It put me to sleep with a 2 hr nap right afterwards. I also had their Chilaquiles and very much pleased with the food. The server was attentive as they had a steady flow of customers. Their patio area is spacious for outdoor eating..

Easter Sunday family eat out gone bad....careless kitchen staff and server trying to justify error. Chile con Rajas plate came with a PLASTIC PIECE. Server tried to justify saying it's just from the chorizo.....we'll my dish does not have any chorizo....and then come to realize the Chile con Rajas should have CORN and it was no where to ve found on this iconic dish.

I haven't written a review in a very long time. The green pozole, it so legit and it is making me so very happy at this moment.

Super authentic and flavorful food! Green pozole with pork is delightful - one of my favorite meals from here. And big enough for 2 meals! Totally affordable food for the size and quality.

Came at the recommendation of a friend. Was seated immediately on a Friday night. Wasn't extremely busy. Parking is limited to the street so I would recommend arriving early or else you will have to drive around a bit. Got the margarita. Was pretty good. $13. The beef flank with guacamole and beans was really tender. Came with homemade tortillas! Overall, solid food and really great service.

I love me some American bfast but there's mornings where I need me a good traditional Mexican bfast with homemade tortillas and El comal delivered. Scrambled eggs with onions, tomatoes and bacon with a side of beans and rice and amazing handmade tortillas. Very impressed and super delicious. They serve two salsas- green and red. Red was my fave. Coffee had a hint of canela (cinnamon) and oh so good! Great customer service and prices.

I LOVE THIS SPOT!!! So delicious and authentic. I feel like I'm in my abuelitas dining room in puerto vallarta! Plates are huge for the price. I love their caldo de pollo it's my favorite. They have hand made tortillas. Alcoholic drinks are muah. I will admit they get pretty busy food service is quick though. Make sure you book for parties bigger than 2 people (: Eat OUTSIDE ITS SO PRETTY.

This is hands down the best Mexican restaurant I have ever had the pleasure of visiting. Having lived in LA, San Diego, and even Mexico, I can honestly say that this place goes beyond all my expectations. The flavors are authentic, bold, and absolutely unforgettable. But what really sets this place apart is the customer service. From the moment I walked in, I was made to feel like family. The warmth and friendliness of the staff made the experience even more special. I ended up being the last person to leave because I was having so much fun and completely lost track of time! If you're looking for a place where both the food and the people make you feel at home, this is it. I cannot recommend it enough!

This place is a hidden gem absolutely incredible from start to finish. Everything was fresh and amazing and authentic. The place is really cute and the atmosphere is really nice. The servers were super sweet and attentive.! 10 out of 10 recommend!

Hands down thee BEST green chicken pozole I may have ever had in my life. Phenomenal and caring patio dining service. Those fresh handmade tortillas are their own page and star!! Definitely wish they could add cafe de olla to their menu. I will for sure be back to try their mole, and the octopus!!!

The North Park location is cute. I can't say the same for the other location. Food is really good and service was good as well.

This palace of Mexican cuisine is my absolute Favorite in North Park. I bring visiting family and friends here and they rave about everything they order. I tell them they would be hard pressed to find better menus in Mexico itself. Hope you guys at El Comal are not overly harmed by the tariffs. Our President Loves you all too.

Amazing good in here, order the cochinita pi il and I promise you will not be disappointed, best part they provide freshly made tortillas, they are just delicious. The restaurant also has an amazing ambiance with a bar inside rhat provides delicious drinks, by the way the jamaica water is very delicious. Next time you are in the North Park neighborhood you can stop by el Comal were amazing staff with provide you incredible service.

I have had the chicken breast plate twice. Once I ordered it grilled and once adobada style. I wanted to see what the difference was. They don't really explain it when you order. The adobada style was my favorite. It is spicy and covered in red sauce. Both are good though. Everything they serve is excellent and tasty! The service is spectacular. They are very attentive and considerate.

Love this place! It's a hidden gem. Food is always delicious and you get great service. I ordered their barbacoa and it was so tender. Highly recommend. Everything I've ordered from here I've enjoyed. They have full bar service and it's family owned. Definitely try this place!

Stopped by here on a Saturday night before a show at the observatory. Thought since it was a small neighborhood spot it would be a little neighborhood gem. Food was good however the service was meh. The bar tender and waitress messed up drink order and meal. We wanted to try the verdes enchiladas but received the roja enchiladas. We also ordered the flautas. We could not find the waitress again after she picked up our finished plates. We had to ask the bar tender for our check. Too many good places in North Park area for meh service..

Just ok. Stopped in because of some of the stellar reviews(which we should know better than to do). Far from down home/authentic. Skimpy portions that don't justify the surprisingly high menu prices. And $7 for chips and salsa? Tacky. Skip it.

Decided to give this place a try because of several recommendations. I wouldn't say we were disappointed, we just weren't impressed. The food was okay, in terms of flavor and quantity. I ordered the chorizo con papas and it wasn't terrible. It was just okay. The salsas tasted fresh and the tortillas were my favorite thing here. Where they missed the mark was with the service and food flavors. We waited a long time to get chips and salsa to the table. We had to flag an employee down to ask for our bill, and we wanted to order the tres leches pancakes because they sounded delicious, but we decided not to because we for sure thought it would take too long. Cool place to check out, however not one of my favorites.

We (2) stopped here to an early dinner around 6pm on a weekday and had outside seating right away. It was great for 2 people and larger groups (4-6) were also seated right away. There is also bar and inside seating but the outdoor area was slightly cooler. Our service was attentive and drinks/food came out within 10-15 minutes. It was our first time so we ordered various items to try. Everything was delicious and tasted authentic - less Americanized than other places in the area. Portion size was not comically large - but I can see where some might think it's fairly pricey for less food. Also, red and green salsas are complimentary but chips were $4 I think - kind of a bummer. The drinks were made with fresh juices and was a great addition to our meal. We really enjoyed our experience and will for sure be coming back for more.