El Coronel Mexican Restaurant - Sebastopol

Viva El Coronel!

What makes going to a Mexican restaurant so much fun? If it's done right, everything. This was our experience at El Coronel in Sebastopol. The music is peppy, the wide, tile floors are scrubbed clean and the food is delicious. On our visit there, we also found the decor cheery and the service excellent. Try El Coronel's Happy Hour, Monday through Friday, from 2 to 5 p.m., for the best values on Mexican food in town. For $2.99 each, you can choose one, two, three or all five appetizer plates.

I personally recommend the ceviche tostada (which I nicknamed The Ceviche Slam, because the crisp corn tortilla was covered by a mound of ceviche).

After one bite, I wished the ceviche could be never ending. It was so fresh and healthy tasting.

When I paired it with one of El Coronel's house margaritas (also $2.99 during Happy Hour) I was in heaven.

The buffalo wings were spicy but good (I think they were supposed to be spicy), and my companion was happy with his flautas and taquitos.

A unique feature of a good Mexican restaurant is food can be brought piping hot to your table within a very short time after you order it. After viewing their menu, however, we found ourselves ravenous. Luckily we were given a bowl of chips and a small bowl of the best refried beans I've ever had (as well as salsa) at Speedy Gonzalez speed.

While we waited for our food, we noticed the walls of El Coronel were covered with murals, paintings and bric a brac from mother Mexico. Their happy colors made it easy to relax and enjoy the afternoon and upbeat feelings of a well-run cocina.

I was tempted by a special drink they serve called, "Adios My Friend." This elixir, consisting of more things than I can remember, would be just the thing for my Uncle Fred when he comes to town next week.

When you go for dinner or Happy Hour, watch for the owner's polite, young daughter wearing a large, black and white hat reminiscent of the one seen on Audrey Hepburn in the race track scene in My Fair Lady.

And I'm sure Audrey would have loved a thermos of margaritas from El Coronel in her umbrella during the shooting of the film. They're just that good. Check out El Coronel's steak and seafood menu too. It was extensive, and entrees came with a variety of sauces.

Viva Mexico! Viva El Coronel!

El Coronel Mexican Restaurant
1015 Gravenstein Ave
Sebastopol, CA

707-829-7010