El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant
325 Sharon Park Dr, Menlo Park, CA, 94025
El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Menlo Park for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Menlo Park for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
325 Sharon Park Dr
Menlo Park, CA, 94025 - Phone (650) 854-7300
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:30 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Lloyed C.
Mexican breakfast burrito is pretty darn good! Giant wet burrito is super good and enormous. Super tacos also awesome. Never had anything else because that is always what I order. It may not be super "authentica" but it is west Menlo Park. Rice and beans is killer too. I would pass on the nachos though. Lulu's could learn a lot from El Cerrito. The best thing about this place is the service and the staff. They are ALWAYS friendly no matter what a prick I am, which is pretty much always. I went in this morning in a terrible mood and couldn't help but smile when I left because the woman who helped me was so friendly and kind.
(5)Steve A.
Was working down the street and would not have noticed this place if I didn't stop to get gas nearby. The burrito I had was good, but nothing spectacular-certainly not as good as the price point would lead you to believe. Chips and salsa are decent, but again, nothing unique or special. They make up for the price with really attentive and quick service and an easily accessible(maybe it's too hidden) space that was surprisingly empty in the middle of lunch hour. I'll certainly try it again when I'm in this neighborhood, but it's not something I'd write home to my mom about.
(4)June L.
We're here on a brief visit to Stanford, checked for places close and Cerritos looked good. It is GREAT! Red sauce is luscious, tangy-er than I'm used to and a nice change. Beans and rice delicious. Chile relleno on my combo was great. Terrific service, too. My son liked the beer selection. His enchilada and taco combo (crispy ground beef) was consumed rapidly. We'll go back if we're delayed. Chips and pico hard to resist...
(5)Kendra S.
Went here for a reception for a college graduation and it was just ok. Likely would not go back and felt like for what it was it was kinda expensive. Service was ok, not great.
(2)Kevin E.
The food is ok, but the prices are too high for what it is. The interior looks and feels old/cheap. It's an ok place to go if you're craving Mexican food and want something close by, but there are better places in the general area.
(3)dee s.
Had the breakfast burrito with chorizo, egg and potatoes. Delish!
(5)Lan E.
This place is my go-to-place with my good friend. Food is good and great customer service. I usually order the tortilla soup or the enchiladas. Always delish! I recommend!
(4)Julie W.
Great food and great people - what more can you really ask for? We get catered lunch from them about once a month, and it is by far a favorite. Sometimes when you think of a fajita bar for lunch, you think of nap time after lunch. However, with El Cerrito's food, you don't need a nap time as their food is not too heavy and full of flavor. Angel, is an amazing man to work with and you can tell he is passionate about what he does. This place is a hidden gem, but worth the search. PS their breakfast burritos are also amazing. :)
(4)Anna P.
Very fast service, huge salads, the ingredients go pretty well together. Ordered the Cerrito Salad and couldn't finish it because of how huge it was. The waiter was pretty attentive and made sure to include all the changes I made to my order.
(4)Team N.
This place is good! Fast service, helpful staff and good food! The super tacos are a must! Definitely one of the best options for eating in the area. I approve.
(4)Laura B.
I was very disappointed with this Lunch, I ordered the bean and cheese burrito and my husband ordered a taco and chile verde burrito. The chips looked store bought, as did the taco shell, the flour tortilla's were horribly dry and cracked, the cheese wasn't even melted. Just poorly made food. The Pico Di Gallo on the side had bits of dried meat in it. So gross.
(1)Adam M.
This place is like a oasis in a desert. This area of palo alto near stanford has next to nothing in comfort food. El chariti was a breath of fresh air. One word to sum it all up is...AUTHENTIC. I can tell how the food will be at a mexican restaurant by their sour cream, salsa, and chips. I knew this would be amazing food before I even ordered. So glad I wasnt disappointed. I ordered the carnitas plate. Amazing pork, with a perfect crisp to it. Rice/beans were great! ONLY issue is corn tortillas seemed microwaved. But in the grand picture who cares! My wife ordered suizas. The green sauce was creamy with little spice, it was amazing as well! Two main dishes, two sodas, chips, two sides of sour cream, extra tortillas came out to $37. Oh yeah, food came super fast with amazing customer service! So if you find yourself stuck at stanford and need some down to earth authentic mexican food...this is your place. I will DEFINATELY be back!
(5)Joe L.
Were there for lunch today, it was good actually, loved the chips and salsa. Nice people there. Carne asada was good, beans and rice were really tasty. Food came really quick. Overpriced but I think is because the location. I really want to go back there for breakfast. As I said before is a little hard to find it in the mall. Overall good, good food, nice enviroment.
(5)Sherry Z.
I was looking for a place to eat near the Stanford Guest House, and this was the only place open at 9 PM. Luckily, this place turned out to have pretty good Mexican food. I liked their salsa that came with the chips-- it had pieces of cucumbers in it. I ended drenching my meal in the salsa. For dinner, I ordered the combination platter, which included 2 types of entrees for $15. I got the tamale and a chicken enchilada. The tamale was not what I expected-- it used a harder type of masa than most other tamales. However, the enchilada was decent. The meal was filling and I ended up taking back enough leftovers for lunch.
(4)Ashley W.
Came here for the first time the other night, based on some pretty good reviews. I wasn't that impressed. Maybe it was because I ordered take out and they screwed up my order :( Being from New Mexico, I'm also very picky when it comes to Mexican food.. ha. I ordered the tostada and the small (huge) burrito and both were just mediocre. Place was busy though and has gotten good reviews, so maybe I'll just have to try it again!
(3)Tim O.
Being Mexican, I'm critical of mexican food, and in general I haven't found great Mexican food in Menlo Park, probably because not a lot of Mexicans can afford to live there. But this place is worse than average. The people are nice and the service is good, but the food is terrible. Just smashed beans and rice. Everything tastes the same; no flavor. And the salsa looks and tastes like it came straight out of a jar. The portions are big, but nothing special. Go to Lu Lu's on Alameda or Amigos in Portola Valley for better food.
(1)Matthew H.
This place is pretty good. I usually get just a burrito for takeout. Closest thing to the kind of Mexican food I like that I've found in PA.
(4)Johnny P.
I have one love in this life. Tacos from El Cerrito. The super tacos are super good and made even better by the complimentary chips and salsa beforehand. Now scroll back up and click "Get Directions". You won't regret it.
(5)Adrienne M.
Mexican restaurant tucked away in the Secret Safeway shopping center. I'm not sure why everyone is saying its cheap - maybe prices have gone up recently? The burritos are mostly $12.95, not cheap by any means, even in pricey Palo Alto/Menlo Park. Portions are large though, and they provide complimentary chips and salsa. We shared a large guacamole ($6.95) and a chicken burrito ($12.95). The guac was way too clinatro-y for us, and it was also kind of watery and runny. I like my guacamole creamier. The burrito was fairly ok, but not what I think of as a typical burrito. The cheese was on top and the filling seemed to just be chicken + the same yellow rice and refried beans that were served on the side, which was fine but sort of weirdly repetitive. The chicken was a little on the tough side, I thought. I would only give 2 stars for the average food + higher than average prices, but the amazing service makes me feel like they deserve 3. We came in about 15 minutes before closing but were welcomed warmly. We were regularly checked on during our meal and everyone always had a big smile. Everyone working here seemed very invested in making our experience great and we really appreciated it.
(3)Will D.
Excellent food, and the wait was normal(15 mins. or so). The chips were excellent as well, made the wait more enjoyable, and we did get a refill on them and the salsa as soon as we were done. Overall a great meal, hefty portions, definitely a place I'll visit again when I'm in the area.
(5)Mercedes R.
El Cerrito is right next to my office, that is the only reason why I have been back there (there are not many options). The meat is tasteless and dry, the salsa seems like it is made from cans of tomatoes - aka - not good; I have never had anything GOOD here. Meh, not so good. But not terrible. I don't recommend it to anyone. Just go to Lulu's Mexican food down the street!
(3)Charles E.
I would say that the food is more in the three-star range but the restaurant overall deserves four because the staff is so pleasant and welcoming. The food is certainly better than your average "Mexican" restaurant but not as authentic as in the smaller Taquerias in this part of the world. When I am looking for a low-key mellow meal, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner, I often take my dog down and we sit at a table outside and enjoy this restaurant.
(4)Dj D.
This place exceeded my expectations for a random find. This place will definitely become a regular stop for me.
(5)James Y.
For great value in a meal, it's hard to beat El Cerrito. The prices are comparable to other places in the area, but the portions are very generous. You easily get your money's worth, and you'll definitely be full from any meal they have. I almost exclusively order from the take-out menu, and the food quality overall is quite good. The burritos are all excellent, and the chico super burrito is a great value for vegetarians. The rest of the Mexican fare is well done, but you should probably avoid the burgers and other non-Mexican dishes. The service is also great. The staff is extremely friendly and efficient. Food preparation is also relatively fast. It's a great place all-around.
(5)Diane A.
El Cerrito is a warm Mexican restaurant tucked in the back of the Sharon Heights Shopping Center. If you didn't know about it, you probably wouldn't notice since Safeway, Starbucks and CVS are the main stops in this center. When you walk in, it seems a little dim, with darker wood and upholstery. There's a bar area where you see regulars getting their dinner. In the dining area, there are booths and tables filled with couples (mostly older), families and business people. The family running the place is really friendly. If you want to order to go, head over to the cash register by the bar. There's an abbreviated taqueria-style to-go menu with burritos, tacos and enchiladas. I often place the order then stop by Safeway to pick up whatever I need. When I come back, the food is ready to go. If you're wanting to eat in, the food is very homey. The typical combos where you pick a taco, burrito, enchilada, chile relleno, etc and it's served with rice and beans. The food is comforting and probably very fattening :) El Cerrito isn't fancy or fusion or cutting edge. It's a neighborhood spot where you can get standard Mexican fare in a comfortable atmosphere.
(4)Francis T.
I'm from Texas, so I'm glad to find some good Mexican food by Stanford. The service and clientele are all friendly. The food is delicious! Pretty good deals too, just a tad bit pricier than back in Houston.
(4)Jessica P.
Came here for lunch on a weekday and ordered the ground beef burrito. It was alright, but nothing to right home about. It was mostly bland and felt like it was missing something. The location is convenient and tucked away between Safeway and Eric's. I won't be rushing back, but if I find myself in the area again I may try something different on the menu to see if I have better luck getting some food with some real flavor or spice!
(3)Alan H.
This place has either changed its management or pricing strategy recently. Menu has been had some graphical splash added to it a la applebees or TGI Fridays, and is not as cheap as the menu previously posted by Yelpers. Burritos are ~12 and entrees ~15. Americanized Mexican with heavy cheese on everything Tacos are still 2.50 but I did not have a chance to try
(3)Dan A.
Delicious restaurant style mexican food tailored for the American taste buds. I like the carnitas or chile verde plate, or a breakfast burrito. Staff is very nice. Food is definitely not what I would consider authentic, but is appropriate for the client base. I eat here fairly often because it's close to work.
(3)Eve L.
Yum. I've been going to El Cerrito regularly since 1986 and I've always been served the very best Mexican food I've ever tasted. It's just American enough to not be too spicy while still having that authentic something. Very nice people, good service, relaxed atmosphere. I highly recommend them to anyone who'll listen. :)
(5)Lis B.
A hidden (literally) gem in the Sharon Heights shopping center, El Cerrito has decent Mexican food at outrageously good prices. Definitely more like a restaurant than a taqueria - the place looks like a 70s diner inside! Burritos are large - pinto beans only, unfortunately - and are fairly tasty. Prices are good. The fajitas are awesome, but they're quite expensive. Quesedillas are also large, and good (and cheap!). If you live in the area, take-out is easy. Parking is super easy and plentiful.
(4)Julia T.
Incredibly nice people, great service, and the fish taco is to die for! Really great fish, not deep-fried, excellent mango salsa, generous avocado, very delicious and healthy--and really inexpensive for what it is. Pretty much everything I've ever gotten has been delicious.
(5)Zach K.
Had lunch here today. Was the best food option IMHO in this little shopping center. I was starving, so maybe the 4 stars are excessive, but the chicken gourmet burrito was brilliant. Literally the size of my foot (and I have large feet) with sizable pieces of chicken, beans, etc. topped with delicious melted cheese. The plate also came with rice and even more beans covered in cheese. The place was moderately full at 1pm and the service was good enough. One suggestion is that they should bring small plates along with the nachos/salsa that they bring you when you sit down. I usually make an excellent mess and would have been less self-conscious about it if I had a small plate in front of me. Either way, good lunch time option if you are in this area. But I don't think they have a bathroom....
(4)April T.
My hubby and work hubby affectionately call this "Secret Mexican" because it's tucked away near "Secret Safeway" (Stanford student-speak) off Sand Hill Road. I love the dark, quiet atmosphere. It helps me relax mid-day. We always start with an order of the fresh creamy guacamole and salsa. Hubby usually gets nachos or a burrito and I go with either a taco salad or a create-your-own combo plate with an enchilada and sopa. Always have an iced tea with a lemon slice and plenty of refills. Ordered the ice cream sundae once for dessert and it was really good too! Wonderful service!
(5)Tonie H.
Has been my favorite Mexican restaurant for years. Ive never had a bad meal and the staff is fantastic!
(5)Sarah B.
I went to this restaurant over a dozen times, 2009-2011, and it stands as the best Mexican food I have eaten (relative to A LOT OF MEXICAN FOOD). If you dislike cilantro you will find fault with the salsa and guacamole, but for me that business is dreamy as hell and entirely too rare. This is easily the best of both I've ever had. Having sung the praises of the salsa/guac: the tacos, burritos, and steaks are incredible. Portions are enormous, prices are great, and every ingredient is perfect (black beans and asada are my staples, but sauces I've tried are all also unbeatable). I found this place accidentally, tucked behind a Safeway in its yuppie town, named by my GPS as the closest sit-down restaurant. It's a stained glass throwback, usually full of old folks, with the sweetest staff imaginable. I feel incredibly lucky to have run into it. I journey back whenever possible, and I pine for it every time I try a new Mexican place.
(5)Akshay G.
I'm glad Yelp told me about El Cerrito when I searched for Mexican food to satisfy a taco craving near my area. As others have mentioned, I had never heard about or seen this place, despite living in Sharon heights for 6 months now. I walked in at 3 pm on a weekend - it was mostly empty except some folks having a late lunch while reading. I was welcomed warmly and asked to occupy any open seat. I headed straight to the bar/cashier to order take-out. The woman at the cashier was patient and helpful with the menu as I pondered over what to get. I finally settled on the Super Tacos - and I wasn't disappointed. The sauce was flavorful, the avocado fresh and melt-in-your-mouth and the tortillas were soft and warm. I couldn't beat the price, either - 9 bucks for 3 tacos, including free chips. Overall this small restaurant is perfect for a starving student on a tight budget and delivers in taste and quantity. I will be back.
(4)Casey M.
Super super-tacos!
(5)James L.
El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant is an easy walk for me and I come here when I have to stop by CVS or Safeway. My go-to is the super burrito with carnitas. I found that carnitas is my favorite there and I wouldn't say I'm disappointed when I try other meats that they offer but I find they aren't quite as good. This place also makes a good burger with fries and a shake. It's good solid food that doesn't cost an arm and a leg and it's convenient for me, so 5 stars.
(5)Marilyn T.
I don't know how anyone finds this location if he/she doesn't know it's tucked away in the back/side of the plaza. The plaza itself isn't even obvious to people who don't live in the area and just drive by on Sandhill! If you come for breakfast, they have a huge breakfast burrito that's filled with eggs, cheese, ham, potatoes, and your choice of meat (American style with sausage or Mexican style with chorizo). They give you such a generous amount of filling that you pretty much have to knife and fork it because it's literally exploding out of the tortilla. If you want to go lighter, they also have a lot of shrimp dishes and salads in addition to other traditional Mexican dishes. Wines are super cheap, and they're good about refilling your soda (I like that it comes in giant cups to help you wash down the food..) It's a small place that's definitely hidden, family owned with lots of regulars. It's worth checking out if you're looking for a massive breakfast burrito.
(3)Duane W.
My wife and I have gone here for years. We still get there at least once a month. This is a 'comfortable' venue with very good food; attentive service and a welcoming atmosphere and attitude. It's worth going a big off 'the beaten track' for what it offers.
(5)Matt D.
Decent Palo Alto Mexican food is very hard to come by. Most of the time, if you want to get a few decent tacos or a burrito, you'll have to drive up to eastern Redwood City or down to Mountain View (La Costina, baby!), but fortunately this little gem has been tucked away in Sharon Heights shopping center for years and many people don't even know it! I've been coming to this place ever since I was a kid, and it hasn't changed much since then. I'm pretty sure that the same wonderful owners have been running this place because every time I come in, they ask how my brother is, how my grandmother is, how is life in Oregon, etc. They're really wonderful people and they make very solid, "Cal-Mex" food. I'm not going to argue the authenticity of their dishes because really I don't care how authentic they are. I just know that their food tastes delicious when I put it in my mouth. Some highlights: -Chile Relleno: this has been my favorite dish from them since I was a kid. The pasilla pepper is fresh, the sauce is flavorful, and they use a really delicious Mexican cheese on the inside. -Super Taco: You eat one or two of these things and you're stuffed. Fresh avocado, marinated meats, delicious red sauce, all wrapped up in a homemade corn tortilla and an extra layer of cheese. GUT BOMB! -Chicken tortilla soup: it's light, flavorful, and generous with the avocado and chicken. A few secrets to keep in mind: They can make certain things that aren't listed on the menu, so just ask. Also, they have an additional "hot" salsa that you can ask for. While it isn't going to burn your face off, it has this awesome smoky, almost chocolately flavor. Bueno!
(4)Ed L.
Sharon Heights does not have a lot of choices when it comes to dinner. you can either go get the nonexistent hot food at Safeway, ball out at Kaygetsu, or hit up El Cerrito. The last choice is probably the most affordable, filling and satisfying. They offer a good selections of Mexican dishes like Chile Colorado and A bunch of Camarones (shrimp) dishes. More importantly, they serve very generous portions; the plates here are the size of pizza pans. The lady is also very hospitable and nice to talk too. The food is not the greatest quality but it's convenient and satisfying for those who unfortunately have to rush back to work on Sand Hill.
(4)Phoebe W.
The ground beef tacos are simple and perfect. The salsa is perfection. Friends have loved the quesadillas and burritos. Portions are enormous. Prices are cheap. I ordered a chicken enchilada and it was (for me) inedible. So I'll go back because I know what to order. When they're on they're game, it's great.
(3)Alisha T.
Their chicken or steak tacos (or super tacos) are excellent and are probably the best thing on their menu. Their chips and salsa rock too. Inexpensive -- $5 for 2 tacos, $7 for 2 super tacos. Good for lunch or dinner (never tried breakfast), but the ambiance leaves much to be desired (picture dark wood, retro booths with ripping fabric).
(4)Frances B.
Yummmyyyy! I love El Cerrito. This establishment is probably one of the best Mexican restaurants out there. It's so good, I often crave their food! I always come here with my family, and we always receive great service and excellent food. We love the mom and pop type feel of the place; you can tell it is family run and owned. I always order the Chicken Fajitas and it is very tasty here. They aren't on the cheaper end, but the portions are huge and the tasty food makes it worth your money. I would highly recommend the fajitas or the Enchilada Suiza. DELICIOUS! A little secret! The take out menu doesn't contain all the food the restaurant has to offer -- if you're ordering over the phone, make sure to ask them what else is on their menu that isn't on their take out menu.
(5)Danielle N.
I stop in here about once a week to grab a couple of tacos on my way to work. I love their chicken taco's. It's like eating at a nice, upscale taqueria but you are welcome to have a full service restaurant style meal as well. The wait staff is always friendly and attentive. The best part is their chips and salsa. Yum.
(4)Geoff D.
When you're visiting the financial crowd on Sand Hill Road and need to fill up between meetings, El Cerrito will have you covered. I've lunched here now three times during just such visits -- fajitas twice and enchiladas once -- and came away satisfied every time. The food's been fairly authentic and tasty in my experience, and I like the dark wood interior and tile floors here that remind me of a couple of my favorite Mexican restaurants from childhood. It's fair to say that I have never driven across town for El Cerrito (I live only a few miles away), but it's a solid choice when I'm on the block.
(3)Victor L.
I don't understand why this is listed under a single $ sign. It is most definitely $$. Everything on the menu is over $10. Plates are $12, Fajitas are around $15, and a single small taco is $2.50, compared to $1.50 at other places. Even burritos are over $10. Don't come here expecting to eat for less than $10. Basically almost twice as expensive as other more hole-in-the-wall-ish Mexican places.
(2)Caroline W.
AMAZING breakfast burritos!! Bacon, eggs, hash browns, mushrooms. Extra side of salsa. Food coma at work. Seriously, we share because a full burrito would render you useless for the rest of the day. But soooo yummy!!! I've also tried their veggie scramble. Comes with piping warm tortillas, beans, and cheese. Ooozy goodness! I want to try their actual Mexican food. Can't rate that yet.
(4)Ginger B.
A neighborhood secret! Good Mexican food in a friendly environment. Ask for the fish tacos. They are not on the menu and really good!
(5)Katharine A.
Mediocre Mexican food--not particularly good or bad. Yes, it is cheaper then LuLu's but it is far from cheap. I tend to go for the "plates" when I am here over things like burritos because the quality seems a bit better. Decor is straight out of the 70's. It almost looks like an old converted diner or an old Round Table. My friend loves this place, but I personally would prefer to go elsewhere.
(3)Grace C.
This place is our go-to Mexican restaurant. The location is great (always tons of parking), and service is pretty quick. Free chips and salsa, of course. The best thing about it is the value - the food is delicious & very reasonably priced, especially considering the location (a hoity-toity shopping strip for rich folks).
(4)Will L.
The first time I was in here, I wasn't sure that eating was the smart thing to do. I had spent the previous evening gorging on meat at a Brazillian style steakhouse. I knew I needed some nourishment, but really it just needed to be something small and simple. As me and my fellow contractor were limited in time, we dropped into this close-to-our-workplace establishment. I ordered pork tacos a la carte, and they were perfect. Small, soft tortillas, with cilantro, onion and pico de gallo. Exactly what I wanted, exactly what I needed, and only ~$3.50. My buddy got his with the rice and beans and then was amazed at how much food appeared in front of him. Him: "Dude, you gotta help me with this!" Me: "Hell no, man, I'm still full of beef." I was back on the job down here from Seattle, a week later, sick as a dog, and no co-worker with his rented car to bum rides into town. El Cerrito is in walking distance of the lab we're working in, and not a lot else is, so I took the opportunity to get some fresh air and exercise, hoping it would alleviate my clogged sinuses (sini?) and just give me a bit of respite from the dark, sickly hotel room I had quarantined myself to work in, in order to not get my clients sick. Because, really, who wants to hire a contractor that gets you sick? I strolled down the hill, dosed up on Tylenol Severe Cold and listening to my iPod on shuffle, enjoying the Central California environment that I had forgotten I missed so much since I moved to WA. Oak trees, tall yellow grass that make the 'golden hills' golden, and eucalyptus trees... and I LOVE the smell of eucalyptus (especially when sick). They remind me of camping in Morro Bay (see yelp.com/biz/morro-bay-s… ). I had my choice of Starbucks, El Cerrito, or a Japanese restaurant. The Japanese restaurant was exorbitantly expensive, and Starbucks was going to be my after-lunch treat (chocolate banana Vivano!), so into El Cerrito I went. This time I ordered tortilla soup and enchiladas Poblana. The soup was fantastic -- huge chunks of avocado, chicken, great flavor. I crumbled up tortillas into the broth and slurped down the whole thing. It might have been the cold talking, but then again, if you've got a bit of a cold, then head over and get a big bowl of this stuff. You WILL enjoy it. I've never had Poblana sauce before, and it's a little bit on the sweet side. The enchiladas were good, but that wasn't quite the flavor I was hoping for. HOWEVER, that's my own fault for ordering something I've never had -- the food tasted good, I just wasn't in the mood for sweet sauce at the time. So that is totally my own responsibility, and not the kitchen's. The server was friendly, the place was mostly empty except for several older gals all reading newspapers by themselves. It hit me that they could have switched off reading out loud, but that might have been a weird thing to suggest. Anyway, next time I'm down at the SLAC lab, if I wind up stuck without transportation, I'll gladly head over here again.
(4)Brooke R.
The food was ok
(3)Elliott D.
This is a pretty good little Mexican restaurant. I eat here once or twice a week. Good burritos!
(4)Mia M.
Pretty decent Mexican food that I'm lucky to have near my place. They have massive breakfast burritos, and with every lunch and dinner dish they provide chips and salsa. I thought it was pretty authentic, and I've lived in Mexico for a few months. I was pretty impressed with the mole poblano. Some of their dishes could be spicier, but I guess that is personal preference. It's a really nice looking restaurant, too. Clean, nice decor. Definitely worth trying.
(3)Fabianna B.
Finally a real quick Mexican food joint that doesn't break the bank! Very friendly staff, quick service, heaping portions, and i love the salsa. Returning as soon as possible for a breakfast burrito.
(4)Trevor D.
Awesome place for great plate dishes!! Their steak super tacos are my go to but all their items are delicious the best plate dish I have had is the chicken and mushroom chile relleno. I would recommend this place to anyone!
(5)K R.
Fellow Yelpers, what are you thinking with this restaurant?! Blech...walked out of there with an instant tummy ache. I tried to play it safe with chicken enchiladas- bad choice on my part. The chicken was dry, tasteless and fatty (skin still on a few pieces). It was mixed with mushrooms and green onions. Sounds like it might be tasty, right?? WRONG. It was like bad, oily, Chinese stir fry rolled in a corn tortilla and served room temperature. The ranchera sauce did nothing to pick up the slack...weak. Rice was awful. Beans were edible. Guacamole had an essence of kitchen cleanser. Salsa was mediocre, obviously a canned base, but decent if you want no kick whatsoever. Went in starving and ate one fourth of the plate. $12.95 - not worth it. My server was nice, but never checked on me after she dropped off my food. Worst Mexican food I've had in the Bay Area, sadly, as it's in a convenient location for me at Sharon Park.
(2)Matt C.
I love this restaurant! There's just something about the chips they bring out. I mean, I know they dump the chips into that basket and let them sit under the heat lamps, but honestly, I've never had better chips at a Mexican restaurant. I don't know if they make them in the back or what, but they are absolutely awesome. Though, if you're a fan of the paper-thin-style chips, you probably won't like these as they're thicker than usual. Anyway, on to reviewing the actual food. I've eaten here many, many times and have tried almost everything on the menu. Everything is good, though, I'm not a fan of the "authentic" tacos. You can ask for them crispy (aka fried), though, and those are great. The Taco Fiesta Salad is one of my favorites. Oh, and the quesadilla they make as an appetizer is entirely big enough for a meal. The Chimichanga is also great. Oh, and almost all the enchilada dishes. And the burritos. You know, you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Did I mention the portions are HUGE? The prices are very reasonable - especially considering that this is Sharon Heights and the sandwich place right next door offers sandwiches (no sides) for about the same prices as full entrees here. The wait staff is also very friendly and super fast. Generally, we're leaving the restaurant 30 minutes after getting in. And there should be something said for consistency as well; I've never had it where something was poorly prepared. Honestly, I think this restaurant is worth a 4.5, but I'll give it a 5 because a 4 seems too low. Minor Update: So, I finally asked the owner, and it turns out the chips are made fresh daily. No wonder they're so delicious.
(5)Brad K.
Our family has been going to El Cerrito in Sharon Heights for years. Consistent, reasonably priced meals. One son loves the super tacos. The enchilada suizas is another favorite. Wish they were open on Sunday nights...
(4)Rob C.
interesting neighbors...stark contrast--Kaygetsu or El Cerrito tried the pastor burrito and carnitas taco burrito was mostly beans and spanish rice, some pastor meat which was ok but fatty and occ. grisly--not the best a bit less americanized than lulu's even though they have their own american dishes on the menu as well, but markedly cheaper just head over to RWC for the good stuff
(3)Nigel Tufnel I.
It gets 4 stars because I am a regular, however, that doesn't mean the place is perfect. Though the food is relatively uninspired, the service is generally quick, the portions large, and the experience very positive. I would comment that the booths are where you want to sit (and where everyone wants to sit.) I'm pretty convinced all of the chairs/tables in the middle are just there are space filler, as they are totally uncomfortable and you feel like a goofball sitting there. If the booths are full, I turn around and leave. As mentioned, the portions are large and the value is great. You can live like a King for an hour in El Cerrito and chuckle heartily as you leave knowing you paid almost nothing. The food itself is standard mexican fare (nothing wrong with this!). The margaritas are foul. This is the type of place that would be great for a Gordon Ramsey makeover. They just need some inspiration and courage. Which brings me to the general feel of the place-- it's sort of depressing. The waitstaff should look like they are enjoying themselves at least a little bit... Come on! Cheer up and chill out! Other odd situations occur as well, where you might enjoy an awesome meal with them at your attention every 25 seconds, and suddenly it could take 15 minutes for your bill to come out. In short: This is my go-to Mexican restaurant, but don't expect inspiration from the food, setting, or staff. Expect lots of good food, cheap. And if the booths are full, maybe move on...
(4)Mani F.
So quality wise I find El Cerrito to be fairly good compared to most Mexican places in the Peninsula. I generally get the (actually surprisingly large) Regular Burrito with chicken, although the Super Burrito is actually very delicious, I'm not a huge fan of sour cream so I'm +/- on that one. The place is tucked away in the sharn heights and I find the service to be attentive and friendly, the space is a small cozy place for firends and small families. Lots of regulars, and surprisingly cheap for Menlo Park. I burn through food like someone twice my size when training for a marathon, and this place is still more than enough to keep me going for most of the day. The availability of American-style breakfast foods alongside the Mexican choices is a nice touch, but those are generally an add-on as this is very much a mexican place. love the huevos rancheros by the way. The key to what makes this place central to my Stanford student experience is the take-out. The same dish is actually significantly less expensive if you order take-out as opposed to dine-in. The regular chicken burrito, for example, is less than $5, and that is for a 14 inch tortilla stuffed nearly to bursting. I call that a pretty sweet deal given how ridiculously expensive this area is. Overall, I give the place 3.5 to 4 as a dine-in (a very good score given the price range) and a 4.5 as a takeaway (which blows virtually any other place in the price range away). Average coems out to a very gratifying 4 stars.
(4)Brian E.
El Cerrito is a little Mexican restaurant tucked away in Sharon Heights. I ate lunch there on two occasions, both of which were good experiences. The chicken pasilla relleno is was pretty good. Mediocre Mexican!
(2)Andreas J.
This place is in walking distance from our house. The food is quite good and beats LuLu's by miles. You can find all the standard dishes one expects at a Mexican place. Even though not always on the menu, their steak sandwich and burgers are excellent Just ask for it, they'll make it. Too bad it's tucked away in the corner. I am sure a lot of people don't even know it's there. This is a good place if you have children.
(4)Chris C.
Consistently excellent food. Our family's favorites are the poblano enchilada, either of the seafood enchiladas, and the steak. Warm, charming atmosphere. Friendly, fast service. Excellent prices. Most entrees are big enough to split and then have enough room to get their fabulous chocolate milk shakes. Mmmmmm... If the kids don't like Mexican food, they make great burgers and fries, too.
(5)Jeff F.
We looked for Nigel Tufnell in every booth but no luck! He must have been getting down with his band, man. Or working at the haberdasher. Nige, baby! GIve your fans a chance! They made you the fab dude you are today! Undaunted, we stayed for dinner. Chips great, food not bad, margarita quite good (says the better half, who knows about these things). Staff look glum. Cheer up amigos! I will come back.
(3)Steve M.
Wow. This is the best kept secret in Menlo Park. Great food at great prices. This is pretty close to real Mexican food, unlike LuLu's. You can also get American style breakfast for half the price of other local establishments...with no waiting! Friendly service, too! El Cerrito has a local "dive" feel. The kind of place with lots of regulars.
(4)Jon M.
Food is fine, service was a bit slow since there was only one server for a packed restaurant. I do appreciate a locally-owned business, and the staff are all very friendly. Just fine for a low-key night out.
(3)Ada R.
This place gets the big shrug. It's where I come for lunch when I'm sick of my other lunch places. There's someone below that thinks this place is authentic. I'm not Mexican, but I'm pretty certain it's not. I do recall liking their chicken tortilla soup, but I'm not sure if it's on the menu anymore. They put chunks of fresh avocado in it. Love that. Portions are big and you can easily walk away without spending more than $10. I've never witnessed the food to be particularly spicy, flavorful, interesting or novel. If you're stuck over in this part of MP it's a decent spot. I would certainly not go out of my way to eat here.
(3)Melanie C.
My mother and I are regulars at El Cerrito. True, there are a lot of regulars that go there- and the reason is the food. It's not "fresh-Mex" nor "authentic" Mexican, it's the Americanized crispy-taco kind of place (although you can also get soft tacos as well). However, any dish you get there will be tasty, hot, and served by an excellent and friendly waitstaff. I love their crispy beef tacos. People don't stay away from El Cerrito-- they come and go in waves. You can go when it's busy or when it's slow, and that all depends on when you go. The good news is the service will always be friendly (we love David) and the food will always be good- so try it out!!
(4)dana l.
Had chicken nachos for lunch here today. After getting my plate I noticed there was no chicken on it. I was hungry so I started eating while looking to get someone's attention, but I was more than halfway done with my plate before anyone came around to ask how our food was. By the time I pointed out the missing ingredient I was mostly done I really didn't want a new one -- a price adjustment would have been fine -- but our server dashed off and returned with a small bowl of cooked chicken. Ummm... OK. My lunching companions generally complained about their food being very bland, and we've marked this place down as a non-repeat .
(1)Meredith O.
Went for dinner and it is now a standard. The Taco Salad is very good! So are the enchiladas and Turkish still likes the Carna Asada plate.
(4)Christine K.
Just had the camerones vera de la cruz today...was ok. The portions were huge which was suprising. Flavor wise...ehh~put it this way, I would not drive there again though, but I understand that in Menlo Park there are not as many choices. If you are going to go to Sharon Heights, hit Kaygetsu instead.
(2)Tiffany S.
This place is great for lunch! I was pleasantly surprised when I came here with a group of friends. The service is always friendly, and the food is very reasonably priced. They have some really cheap lunch combos available, and you always leave this place SUPER full. I also enjoy coming here for take out, because they are very fast. El Cerrito doesn' t get 5 stars, because they are pretty inconsistent in the quality of the food they offer. Sometimes the steak is wonderful and perfectly made, other times its kind of fatty and salty. Overall, the best Mexican food in a 2 mile radius, and probably the best quick food option in Sharon Heights.
(3)David L.
I love Mexican food and this is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. To start with, the free chips and salsa are really good and the hot salsa is actually spicy. They offer free refills on sodas and the service is good. They also offer a kids menu and crayons for kids to draw with. I really recommend the molcajete, a dish with shrimp, chicken and beef in a great sauce. I usually order one of the shrimp or chicken plates here, as opposed to the burritos or tacos, etc. The plates come with tortillas and beans and rice on the side. The portions are big too. The burritos are good here but not as good as you can get at plenty of taquerias in Redwood City or Mountain View, plus they are more expensive at El Cerrito. I think if you get a burrito to go it is cheaper (around $6) because if you eat in the restaurant they only offer burritos served with rice and beans on the side. If you want a burrito that's the way to go. This is definitely not a taqueria, but if you want some good sit -down, restaurant-style Mexican food El Cerrito is a good bet.
(5)Jeremy G.
Poor food and a bit pricey but not many other nearby restaurant options
(1)Nick Y.
Had my second trip to El Cerrito today. Once again, I came away very satisfied. This time, I had the chili verde super burrito. It was HUGE. The pork was really nicely cooked, and beans/rice/guac/sour cream added a lot to the overall package. Very tasty. I got it to go, and it came with a hefty amount of fresh chips and some decent red salsa. For $6.25, I was very satisfied, and the location is hard to beat if your working at SLAC or anywhere else on Sand Hill Road. Definitely will be back again.
(4)Thighmaster M.
In this neck of the woods, beats the heck out of over-priced, bland Lulu's. Well - it's still bland, but it's not over-priced. The food has no energy to it - dead.
(2)Shauna C.
I live across the street and kept wanting to try this place. Went on a Friday night and found the place to be not even 1/2 full. Most restaurants in the area are packed on a Friday night so I had to wonder what was keeping people away. Overall good experience. I ordered a combination plate with a tamale and taco. The tamale was nice and moist. Many restaurants will dry out their tamales because they microwave them instead of steam them which holds the moisture in the maza. Best of all, my iced tea glass was Ginormous! I appreciate a restaurant that gives you a huge glass of tea because I drink it at an alarming rate and always need refill after refill if the glass if small. Kudos! I even had to pull over and pee at the gas station en route to my next destination. I would return based on the decent food, decent (for Menlo Park) prices and for the very convenient location of across the street from my apartment.
(3)foodie c.
fantastic place!! tried the tacos, guac and taco salad EVERYTHING was YUM and fresh!! great friendly staff..WONDERFUL PLACE..PLEASE GO AND VISIT THEM FOR A DELIGHTFUL MEAL
(5)Jess M.
By far the best Mexican restaurant I've been to in the Stanford/Menlo Park area. The location is especially convenient for anyone living in the Sharon Heights area or the West side of Stanford Campus. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is very low-key... this is definitely somewhere to go for the food rather than the ambiance. The dishes are much more authentic than most; personally I'd recommend the Zopes and the Enchiladas in Mole sauce. It's a tad pricey (most dishes from about $8-15), but the portions are beyond generous. I'd also strongly suggest it for anyone who is frustrated with the lack of dining space and hoards of children at Lulu's on the Alameda. Overall our favorite place to visit when we have a Mexican craving!
(5)