First time in a long time to go to El Sombrero. Had the combination--taco (ground beef), relleno and enchilada (chile verde)--$10. Enchilada was very good, and the ability to choose from 1) ground beef, 2) shredded beef, 3) chicken and 4) chile verde (pork) or 5) cheese is a good thing.
Meal came with just one (buttered, flour) tortilla, which seemed a bit stingy, but it was hot and fresh. There was a paragraph of complicated text on the menu about prices for extra tortillas, different prices for corn and flour tortillas, etc.?? I always thought of tortillas as 'some' tortillas, not a specific number.
Portions were good size, and our order was up very quickly from the kitchen. Beer was cold, and came with a frosty glass as well.
Agree with another reviewer--the oil that the relleno I ordered was prepared in could have been fresher. They also used an anaheim chile, I think, very fleshy, but not the smokier poblano I'd prefer.
Staff was attentive, and you definitely get the feeling they're serious about the business, and also that it's family owned, not a chain restaurant. Someone there to seat you right away, someone at the register, sufficient wait staff--yes I know these are supposed to be the basics, but they're missing at so many 'restaurants' these days. The wait staff were nice grandmotherly types (that's a good thing!), friendly but efficient.
Apparently this was originally the old Auto Club bldg back in the '40s, but it could have even more charm if they would make some windows--there's not a single one in the dining room, just high ceilings and concrete walls, so it was really loud, even though the restaurant was only half full.
Overall, recommendable. I'd agree with the 3.5 average from other reviewers on the food, and give it a 4 for the staff.
