Seriously the best place in town for salsa and queso! I had the shredded beef (brisket) burrito smothered in chile con queso. While the beef was a bit on the dry side, mopping up the delicious queso with it was no problem. Many trips to El Sombrero has taught me to stick with what I like and for me it's a beef burrito smothered in queso. Or the beef steak ( a large hamburger patty smothered in queso) or on the lighter side the taco salad. Our service was fantastic this time. Fast and friendly our server (Tamara) did a fantastic job of making our dining experience an enjoyable event. My husband had the green chile, cheese, bacon burger (enough said). We also enjoyed a beer each and a sm side queso with our gratis salsa and chips. Total bill 18.79 that's my kind of dinning! Thank you El Sombrero for a wonderful dinner.
(4)
Lizzie M.
This is my favorite mexican food place in las cruces. The staff are friendly, the beer is cold and the food is awesome! A few of my favorite plates are the chicken tacos and the green chili smothered burritos! And their jukebox is pretty cool too. selena and motorhead with my tecate? yes, please.
(5)
Miz S.
Eat the salsa. Eat the salsa. Eat the salsa. If you know you're coming here the day before, call ahead to have some put aside for you to purchase and bring home. This restaurant can stand on the salsa alone. Some sort of green deliciousness with just the right amount of spice. I want the recipe. if I lived here, I would consider working at the restaurant so I could learn the secrets of tasty. The beef taco was also excellent (I'm pretty sure the tortilla was fresh made). Eat them all.Sadly, I am knocking you down one star because your tamale (I love tamales!) was dry. But you HAVE them on the menu, so I'm hoping it was just an off day. The waitress was extremely nice and attentive and the ambience is very cute. You can eat inside or outside. The dessert menu looked pretty nice (churros and sopapillas!) but sadly, i was too full. If you are ever in the area, stop by this jewel of the desert.
(4)
Mike P.
The best mexican food in las cruces. Get the fajita burrito covered in queso. Additionally, they have the BIGGEST flautas around by far. A must see!
(5)
Jesse S.
This is probably one of my top 10 favorite restaurants I've ever been to. Every time I go to Las Cruces to visit my friends from college, we end up eating here at least once or twice. The food is awesome! I always get the green chile chicken enchiladas and I am never disappointed. I wish I could find enchiladas that good where I live, but sadly I haven't found anything that even comes close. Besides the amazing food, the best part is the price. Even if I get chips and queso, a glass of their yummy sangria,and my entree, its always under $20, which is awesome. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is the service. Its hit or miss. I've had some awesome servers and I've had others who forget things we ordered or take forever to bring the check. Either way I'll be going to El Sombrero on my next trip to Cruces.
(4)
Alicia R.
My favorite restaurant in Las Cruces!! The salsa and the queso fundido are delicious! I've never ordered anything I didn't like here and the servers are all very welcoming and remember you upon return. A must at least once a week :)
(5)
S R.
So delicious, we went twice in one week. The red chicken enchilada was great. Very filling. Friendly, fast service, too. Next time we're back in Las Cruces, this will definitely be on our list of must dos.
(5)
Patrick W.
Had some amazing enchiladas. Next time i'm in new mexico, i know where i will be headed!
(5)
Judith S.
I went here for lunch a couple of times. It is bright and fun inside (which you would not guess from the outside), pink vinyl on the tables, 50s styled chairs and a juke box playing some music. The tacos were great and so were the churros. If I were to head back to Las Cruces for a long weekend, I would probably choose to come back here for a traditional Mexican meal in a fun setting.
(4)
Briana B.
Pretty good Mexican food in a town of lots of Mexican food!!!
(4)
Michele G.
Salsa is to die for, we are regulars & have never had a bad meal. Service is dicey on occasion but they make up for it in the meal.
(5)
Brian O.
Our lunch was excellent - quality and quanity too. Salsa was very good and our waiter was excellent. Would definitely return!
(4)
Angela O.
There are places i remember, all my life ... and hate. Or love. I kinda sorta hate Las Cruces, barring a handful of special friends, memories, hikes, plants ... and the SALSA AT EL SOMBRERO. Do they bottle it yet? This damned restaurant was the primary reason I gained 10 pounds in my late-20s ... oh dear ... I want to teleport back, buy a veritable crate of salsa, and get home to LA NOW! I'd share!
(5)
Diana G.
Looks like a hole in the wall but food is always good. Salsa is great. Service is good too. Only issue is that it is often cramped feeling inside. Good affordable food. Worth a stop.
(4)
Kathryn T.
This place was recommended to me I almost missed it but I was glad I found it. True it is sorta americana but the waitress recomended a dish do not remember the name it was a chicken breast covered in green chilies with cheese on top really yummy! Like the salsa too! Restaurant has an interesting layout??? I will return to try more.
(4)
Jon M.
This place is awesome!!! I always have the shredded beef in either tacos, burritos or flautas. Best shredded beef in the LC!!!
(4)
Jim L.
Carrillo's Cafe has way better food! Though El Somb isn't bad, Carrillo's out does it!!! The chef/owner at Carrillo's Cafe use to be the chef at El Somb many years ago when El Somb was where Carrillo's Cafe is now, so that in itself should tell the DUH in you that Carrillo's Cafe is far better - it has to be!
(2)
Michael B.
All the high reviews shock me. This place is average at best. Worst is that the Green Chile Bowl was so freakin' hot that it took me 45 minutes to plow through it with about 5 large glasses of water. I had to complete the challenge and didn't even get a T-Shirt or my name on the wall but seriouosly...this is not food. It is crazy hot and cannot be tasted otherwise. The server should have warned us. I'm still sick from it 24 hours later. (Actually my wife ordered it and almost went into shock after one bite so we switched) Wife ate my Fajitas which were just average and swimming in grease with a small portion of meat to boot. I know and love hot spicy food and I know and love Mexican and Southwestern fare. I will NEVER return to this place. Service also was not good. I had to ask three times to get silverware and napkins which finally came long after the food was delivered. There are servers running around everywhere but they won't bother to help out at another table real quick and our gal was nowhere to be seen. Place is also very crowded and noisy. I'm going to try the Carillos tonight that was mentioned in another review of this joint. (If I can get out of the bathroom today!) Do yourself a favor and eat elsewhere. "The Hat" is overrated.
(2)
Joshua J.
Gotta be the best salsa in town! Food and service are both great and they have great beer specials and an awesome patio.
(5)
Ernie S.
Solid Mexican food that seems a little "white" in both taste and style. Still, the 9.95 fajitas (YES!) and the enchiladas were solid. The place was packed too. It's a good choice, but I wanted something a bit more truly New Mexican in style and taste.
(4)
erin s.
I asked for a recommendation and said "ok, I'll have that" so I'm not sure what I got but it was delicious. Not the best mexican food I've had, but it was very good. The salsa was fresh and spicy- if you don't like spicy, don't try it!!
(4)
Tina B.
The waitress that originally sat us down was really nice. Then another waitress came to take our order right after we sat down. We weren't ready, and just ordered our waters. She was extremely inpatient until we gave her our order.......we felt very rushed. She also wasn't exactly blooming with personality. Once our food came out we NEVER saw her again, no drink refills, nothing. We saw how friendly the other waiters were with their tables, we had waiter envy. We had to ask other staff for things. I ordered the veggie tacos, the one thing i will say about this is that these tacos would have been awesome if they were sauteed mushrooms and veggies instead of cold raw ones. It was basically a salad in a corn tortilla, which was not what i was looking for.
(2)
Filicana B.
The people that work at El Sombrero are very friendly. However, their food is heart-attack worthy! I ordered the chicken fajitas, thinking it was going to be healthy. What I received was greasy chicken and vegetables. My hubby ordered a smothered burrito, and requested the green chile sauce; they did not tell him it was a cheesy green chile sauce! While the food was simple and tasty, it's definitely not healthy, if that's important to you (it is to me!).
(1)
Seth W.
El Sombrero stays pretty busy, and it's a not bad, unpretentious little diner. The few times I had Green Enchiladas there, the tortillas were completely uncooked, and as such, almost uncuttable. The time or two that I had fajitas there, they were completely generic, the sort of pre-seasoned meat you would buy off a restaurant supply truck. Occasionally they'll have some specials that are good, but the real draw here are the flautas and the salsa. The chips are weird, sometimes kinda soggy but the salsa is pretty good. I would probably buy it in a jar. Just a petty quibble here, but if you have a jukebox, and it's playing music, you shouldn't turn it off when a customer decides to play a few songs. It's rude. If you don't want me to play Tom Petty or Selena, plug the coin slot or remove the jukebox. Overall though, El Sombrero is a decent enough place to enjoy some flautas and a a cold beer on the patio.
(2)
Tonia D.
I moved from Las Cruces two years ago and have cravings for their Flautas every once in awhile, so I figured El Sombero would be my first Yelp review (because I am thinking of them right now). As noted above the chicken flour Flautas are amazing. The sour cream and guacamole are perfect for dipping. They are huge and with beans and rice make a very large meal. . Especially after eating tons of free chips and salsa. This was my go-to dish but others I would go with enjoyed the stuffed Sopaipillas and the steak covered in green chili. ::Drooling:: The waitresses were always very sweet, and I say waitresses because I don't think I ever had a male waiter. If I am ever back in Cruces, I will make a point to go back and so should you.
(5)
A R.
I love me the hat!!! Great enchilada plates, and killer beer prices. They have a nice patio that they've managed to block off from the busy street directly on the other side of the wall. They are open a little later than some places. Usually busy, but worth a wait if you have one. Prices are some of the best for the amount and quality of food. Decent service, the servers are usually busy so I cut them some slack on this. One of my favorite New Mexican restaurants. The interior and decor is nothing fancy, but who needs fancy when you have really good green chile? Make sure to get an egg on your enchiladas-if you're not from around here, you might not know you have the option!
(4)
Cathy R.
Mucho excellent!!! The salsa delish, green chicken enchaladas to die for. Chicken tampico muay good. Service excellent.. resonable prices.
(5)
Richelle E.
Really a letdown, the green sauce I read so much about tasted like cream sauce, no spice or kick at all. I did like the salsa, and maybe I should have ordered something else, but don't bother for the enchiladas (with green sauce).
(2)
Nick R.
Decent New Mexican food for a moderate price. Like other have mentioned, the chili and chili sauce is really poor. It lacks good flavor and heat. The green sauce looks and tastes a lot like cream, not green chili. The patio is probably the nicest feature of this restaurant, with nice murals on adobe walls. The salsa is decent too. I am often guilty of remembering things as better than they actually were, but I swear this place used to have great, hot New Mexican food in the nineties.
(3)
Stephanie S.
I've eaten at El Sombrero since before I can remember, when it used to be down on Church St. & Amador behind what was the Welcome Inn. They have THE best red salsa in town (I wish they would bottle it), my favorite green chile cheese enchiladas, and ground beef gorditas that I dream of. The dining room is small but there is the patio which is very nice, if only they'd switch out the round tables for something you can group together more easily, as I'm more often than not eating there with my entire family. A must-eat when in LC
(4)
Nate M.
Not only is the food GREAT, the patio is awesome. U have to try their green chili con queso smothered burrito.
(5)
Jeff H.
One of the top 2 or 3 Mexican food restaurants in Las Cruces. They serve a cream style green chile sauce that is unlike any in the area. Great food, ok atmosphere. Highly recommend!
(4)
Jerry W.
Each New Mex restaurant has something that brings me back. El Sombrero has the green chile queso sauce. Very Good! The place is always packed.
(4)
David J.
I really like the atmosphere and service here. The waitress was attentive and nice and the food was excellent. Great little place with a great patio area to relax in. Again, the service and quality were fantastic and I will definitely be going back there again.
(4)
Kevin D.
The chips and salsa were rockin'. The parking lot is a mess, as in just pull in and stop somewhere. I have the stacked enchiladas with ground beef, red sauce and rice. It was good, fresh ingredients and a nice flavor. It was a great diner lunch. Enchiladas w/rice. Sour cream and an iced tea. $12.50
(3)
Mark C.
Their fajitas calientes are excellent. My friends also liked the huevos rancheros and chile rellenos. The chips and salsa were also very good.
(5)
Kat H.
el sombrero was cute, but kinda boring. they seem to be going for the simple vibe, but it's almost gone too far. the waitresses were nice enough, but not especially friendly. they just kind of did their thing and left. although i will say my drink was never empty and my food came quickly. the salsa was good, but the chips were lacking (i heard they re-fry the ones from roberto's? i dunno if that's true, but it might explain the weird, in-between soft and crunchy-ness to them). LOVE the giant glasses of tea. i got the veggie tacos, which sounded great on the menu, but ended up being mostly sprouts and stale mushrooms.
(2)
Cassy B.
Has anyone here in Las Cruces ever had good food?? Again, bland except their chips and salsa are very good. Who has ever heard of not making enchiladas without onions. Makes it very bland but if you order onions on the side, it;'s ok. they do have onions it that kitchen, they just don't use them in the food?????
(2)
Josh M.
It was decent and it was cheap so thats good. The sauce they use for their enchiladas isn't very good though, but thats just my opinion. The tacos were very good. Not the best place but you can do worse. i will probably go back.
(3)
Tommy E.
The house salsa is hot for me, but they have a really good picante or even Pace if requested. I love the Sombrero Tacos on flour tortillas. I have been here several times and will continue to go back. I do enjoy the quesadillas too. For some reason the Cheeseburger might be one of the best in town. Service is usually good, however it is a busy place during lunch and dinner hours and can have a bit of a wait sometimes. I think it is worth the wait.
(5)
Kimberly F.
Chips were great and so was the salsa- which was spicy and that's exactly how I like it. Opted for the caliente fajitas and they were fantastic. Everything on the menu that was had was outstanding and our server was helpful, personable and attentive. Couldn't have asked for a better experience. Will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Isaac Y.
BEST BURGER I'VE EVER HAD! I heard New Mexico was famous for the green chili cheese burgers, and this place was suppose to be the best in Las Cruces, so I stoped by here on my way to Arizona, and man am I glad to have visited. They are great for lunches and the atmosphere is great. The service is EXCELLENT and they check in on you often to make sure you have everything you need in a timely manner. i asked for the burger and the server didn't stall or anything, just got right down to it and brought me what I wanted. The burger was excellent, and a few things they did right to make it a superb meal. The meat first of all contained all the juices and wasn't over/undercooked. The green chili was next, and it was just the right amount of spicy for you to really enjoy the food instead of gulping down your drink. They also provide you lettuce onions tomatoes, mustard and mayo separately so if you wanted to put any of those on the burger you could, and its thoughtful of them to do so so that those who want to just taste the meat and the chilis can do that. The fries were excellent, and I think they cook it with penut oil tasted a bit like 5 guys fries, except not as soggy. Excellent food, excellent service, good prices. Definitely recommend.
(5)
Tracy W.
I love El Sombrero. Another must-visit when I'm home, they have excellent chips and salsa to get you started. It's been a long time since I've ordered anything other than a taco plate, but my friends and family have ordered a whole variety of things that have all been favorably reviewed. They frequently offer off-menu specials and run contests via their Facebook page, so check it out before you go in case there's something extra special on offer that day!
(5)
Judy a.
We are just passing thru on our way to Texas, wanted some yummy Mexican food, looked on Yelp and found this place. 3 stars because 1 if I asked for a Bud Light michalida and you say YES we make them , then make it right, I didn't drink it, it was a cup filled half way with lime juice. Gross, I asked for the Clamato they said we don't have any, really any amateur knows that's the key ingredient to a michalida , #2 everybody seem to talk about that red and green enchiladas on yelp, be prepared that the green one is much hotter then the red? not tasty at all, i'm from LA and I'm used to certain type of food this was amateur at best, it was not authentic the beans were not homemade the rice was like Rice-A-Roni. I gave it three stars because the ribeye was OK. But I'm sure in New Mexico there are much better places to eat so do yourself a favor if you're used to real Mexican food look around this is Mexican food was more for "white people " a step about a Taco Bell type.
(3)
Amanda P.
They have the best salsa of all time. I live in Philadelphia now so I wish they would jar it and sell it so I could take it with me!
(5)
Julio B.
I love this place, I crave and dream about this place when I am in Miami! Came back to Cruces to see the fam and took my Mom to my favorite place in Cruces(El Sombrero) This Place would get 10 stars if I could do it. Food is always delicious and service is awesome. My Mom has Cancer and they were so accommodating. Thank you so much, your staff are great. What a gem this place is.
(5)
Mike G.
I can't believe I have never written a review for this place. Although I don't live in Cruces anymore I have eaten here probably 100's of times over the last 30 some years. This is usually our first stop in town when we come to visit. Let's start with the salsa, it is the definitely one of the best around and the chips are always fresh and crispy and the servers are constantly putting a fresh basket and more salsa on your table. Be warned, don't fill up too much on these or you will be disappointed because you won't be able to finish your main meal. I've pretty much tried everything here but my go to is either the red or green enchiladas with an over easy egg, beans and rice but be assured everything here is great. My other go to is a combo with an enchilada (again either red or green) a ground beef taco and a chile relleno. Oh and make sure to get an order of sopapillas WITH your meal. There's nothing better then tearing off a corner drizzling a bunch of honey inside and then stuffing it full with everything off of you plate. Either eat now or take it home for a little snack later. I highly recommend "The Hat" and encourage you to try out one of the best "New" Mexican joints in town. Theres a reason they've been around for so long!
Exactly what we were looking for. Great authentic mexican fast and cheap. Great service too!
(5)
Andrew G.
Food was good, waitress was good, no wait to be seated, red chile sauce was hotter then hell
(3)
Barry C.
A hole-in-the-wall restaurant with pretty good food. Lunchtime was packed so I chose to sit outdoors on the patio--quite hot in September. The free salsa was well made and quite hot. I had a salad special and it was fresh and tasty. Service was friendly and fast--no complaints all around.
(4)
Maureen K.
On the plus side, the servers and the manager were incredibly friendly - welcomed us every though we were (inadvertently) their last customers of the day. The decor is loud, fun, happy, with a real juke box offering a wide variety of music. The food was okay -- though if you're new to NM as we are, beware the kick given by the red sauce LOL. My negative - the style of pricing on the menu. I ordered "Rainbow Enchiladas" - one with red, one with green, one with sour cream. Do you want meat with that? Ummm - yes, chicken. OK, $2 uptick. Do you want beans and/or rice? Sure. OK, as you find out when you get your bill, it's another $2. Bit by bit the bill goes up. And then there's the "wine margaritas." Yukk. But I really wanted a drink after a day's traveling . . . but they are really, really yukky. Save your money. Order carefully, drink wisely, and get on with life.
(3)
Alexander A.
Blessed by the V8, So Shiny, So Chrome. Sombrero is awaited in Valhalla!
(5)
Denny L.
I want to start out by saying that this place is deceptively big, so don't be fooled! It doesn't look like much from the outside, but the restaurant can hold plenty of people, both inside and on the patio. The parking is plentiful and the parking lot wraps around the building, so you can access the lot from both Amador and Espina. My girlfriend and I stopped by here one Friday night at dinner time. After an anticipated short wait we were seated outside on the patio. The temperature that night was in the 40s, and although there are a few little heaters out on the patio, dinner was a little chilly, but still enjoyable. The chips and salsa that were served were decent. The chips were your ordinary tortilla chips. The salsa was too hot for my girlfriend, but I rather enjoyed it. The waitress was also nice enough to bring out little samples of the red and green sauces so my girlfriend could try them, and she said that they were too spicy for her as well. My girlfriend got the rolled tacos plate and I opted for the beef fajitas caliente. The rolled tacos were some of the best rolled tacos I've ever had. The shell was both fluffy and crispy and the center was stuffed with fillings. We tried one beef, one chicken and one cheese. All of them were delicious. While my fajitas came out fresh and sizzling, the pan was smaller than I was expecting. Even though there wasn't as much meat as I was hoping for, it had excellent flavor. The onions and peppers paired beautify with the meat that was cooked perfectly. The guacamole was very good as well. Now for the bad part. Our food took WAY too long to arrive. A table of six that sat down after us was almost done eating their food by the time ours even arrived at the table. We didn't order anything super complicated. As I said, we just had some tacos and fajitas. The waitress was very nice and kept assuring us that our order would be out 'soon', but it wasn't. The sides to my fajitas were brought out 15 minutes before the fajitas arrived. There are plenty of other reviews for this place that commend the restaurant for their speedy service, so maybe we just stopped by on a bad night. The food was good enough that it warrants another meal here to see if our first experience here was a fluke or not.
(3)
Cameron N.
Really good queso and i enjoyed the green chile chix enchiladas. Chips and Salsa has good heat. Although i have yet to find a mexican place with fantastic all around dishes, i would recommend this place as near the top of the plethora of mexican restaurants in Las Cruces. Will definitely go back.
(4)
Taylor V.
Great food! Everything was served shortly after ordering. Staff was very sweet and friendly, but could be a little more attentive. For example, getting water refills, utensils, correct dressings, etc. overall a great place! 3 stars because I had several things go wrong with my order.
(3)
Brian H.
Hit the spot. A great find and obviously a local hot spot. Salsa was amazing! I'll make it a point to come here anytime I'm in Las Cruces.
(5)
Nicole P.
Anyplace that lists the desserts right under the appetizers on the menu is my kinda place. Excellent Mexican rice and the enchiladas are great.
(5)
Rachel G.
I totally love this place! It's where my husband and I love to go when we are feeling like celebrating! the staff is very capable and friendly and the food, ohhh dont even get me started! their queso and salsa is to die for!!!!! I usualy get the chiken fajita quesadia just so i have something amazing to eat with the queso. price is reasonable for the quality!
(5)
Kina L.
I've been here about 3 times now whenever Im in town and the food has been very consistent. Today for the first time I ordered something other then the fajitas (which are delicious). The salad with grilled beef was very good. I was impressed with the amount of grilled meat on the salad. Probably the equivalent of the fajitas. I've always had a great experience with their servers- attentive and quick to refill drinks. Only negative that knocks them down a star is that their salsa is just way too salty.
(4)
J L.
I really don't get why the people who like this place like it. It is rather gross. I had the gorditas which just tasted ok. Other food tasted like it came out of a can and was two or three times the cost of better places. Tried this place a couple of times. Food was mediocre to horrible. Plates for two people came to over $30. Ridiculous. Eh, pass.
(1)
Cheryl O.
After attending college at NMSU, when I go back to visit, I have a couple of favorite restaurants. El Sombrero tops the list. Prices have gone up in the past 25 years but considering an enchilada plate has gone from about $3.50 to $6.00, it's still a bargain and what I believe to be the tastiest food in town. I admit to always getting the cheese enchiladas but recently a friend ordered the Caliente Fajitas and said they were excellent. Chips are fresh and good. Salsa is tasty - not too hot, but good flavor.
(5)
Angelique P.
Oh my gosh where do I even begin? The place is lively, the food was the bomb, their waitstaff is AMAZING! We were in Las Cruces from Santa Fe visiting family and our family recommended El Sombrero for dinner and I'm sure glad they did! The salsa was THE BEST I've ever eaten! I even had to bring some home with me! The gorditas were sooooo yummy and the cheese in the enchiladas was so creamy...YUM! My husband said their green chile cheeseburger was the best he's EVER had! Garrett was just the most friendly and sweet server I've ever had the pleasure to meet! Thank you for a really enjoyable way to end a long drive! Now you guys just need to expand to Santa Fe! :)
(5)
Candace S.
I went for a late lunch on a weekday and the service was very attentive and the food came out super quick! The salsa was fresh but pretty spicy. I ordered the rainbow enchiladas with added chicken as this type of dish is usually how I judge a Mexican place I've never been before. I think they're red sauce was the best and most flavorful, the green just ok, and the sour cream sauce pretty dry. Next time I would probably get the lunch special with two enchiladas with the red sauce only. Overall I thought the food was great and I'm excited to return to try the rest of the menu.
(4)
Sherri H.
Very good! Had the queso fundido w/chorizo & fajitas. All very tasty. Salsa is just right for our taste - it's a little bit hot but not too much.
(5)
Sara T.
I would have given 5 stars for the food as it was delicious. The patio was a 3 star though since it was open to the elements. When we visited it was 44 degrees outside. When the host asked if we wanted inside or patio we said it didn't matter. We had no idea that the patio would be sooo cold. If they had two heaters (as they do at many patio restaurants) out there it would have been perfect. We ate the whole meal in our coats and watched two families be moved inside. We asked to be moved inside after getting our drinks, but was told 3 parties had arrived ahead of us. They said we would go to the bottom of the list. My mom found the food to be too spicy for her as she medically can't have too spicy of food. The rest of us loved our food.
(4)
Laura F.
All of our food was excellent. I had flautas and my hubby had tostadas compuestas. He mixed two red chile and one green chile and said the red was way better. The salsa was perfect which is the reason I wanted to return to El Sombrero after moving away from here. I missed the salsa and it didn't disappoint. But as good as all that was it didn't touch our stellar service. Danielle was our server and she took anticipated out every need and made me feel like our table was special and important to her all while running a full section in a packed place. Everything was timely, tasty and terrific.
(5)
Dave W.
I've been eating there since 1976. Great food and super great service!!
(5)
Vic V.
Very good Southwest New Mexico Green Chili. Combination 3 with Green Chili, Shredded Chicken Enchiladas and Taco. Green Chili Queso appetizer made from Baby Back Jack Cheese.
(4)
Jim D.
Overall, it's my favorite place to eat in New Mexico. I love eating here. It's an enjoyable place to go and get some good grub and beers. Haven't been to this place as much as I wish I would have. Starting out, the environment here is pretty relaxing and happy. Very bright, neon signs, everyone is enjoying themselves as I look around. The staff is very pleasant and polite. Our waitress is the shift manager which says to me that she enjoys what she does and helps out even though she's the manager. The salsa and chips are so flavorful, you could eat them for your meal. The salsa has a little spice but that is overtaken by the amount of flavor it packs. Pretty decent beer selection for a small place but that's not really of use to people like myself who stick to beer that says Coors or Dos Equis on the side. Plus the happy hour has some decent prices on domestics and appetizers. Me and one of my friends decided to split an appetizer of nachos; big mistake for only 2 people. The pile of chips and cheese and meat and beans was overflowing when placed on our table ( as seen in pictures ). Once again, the flavor was perfect and it was covered perfectly with the right amount of cheese. I ordered the Grande Quesadillas with chicken for lunch. Probably the best quesadillas in the area. Worth coming to try from El Paso. Perfect taste, perfect quantity and they are probably the thickest quesadillas I've ever had.
(5)
Shawna H.
Very delicious and excellent service! Highly recommend the cheese enchiladas with green sauce WITH a fried egg on top! You've also got to try the coconut tea...AMAZING!
(4)
Chris C.
went here the other night based upon a recommendation...rainbow enchiladas with an egg, Modelo and service all good...
(4)
Mellisa G.
Drove from Dallas to Las Cruces to visit family, we looked up local spots for good food and drinks and this place was awesome! If hit the spot with the green Chile burgers and rainbow enchiladas! DELICIOUS!
(5)
Misty M.
We went there by recommendation by trip advisor etc.... We had dinner it was ok basic Mexican fare. We had the Queso with chili, onions and tomatoes it was very good! We then split tacos rice and beans with guacamole. It was all good not great. We've definitely had better fresher guacamole. The salsa was good little on the salty side which I didn't mind but if you do probably not your dealio! We could understand why locals hangout etc... However there are so many other more authentic absolutely delish places to go in Las Cruces we won't go back. Hope this helps. Dave and Misty Muse :)))
(3)
Elizabeth S.
Had to bump My Brothers Place down to a 4 after trying this place. Much improved from our visit a couple of years ago!
(5)
Brandon P.
A bit spicy for this gringo, but absolutely delicious! One of those rare small joints that deliver amazing food. You won't regret lunch here. Fast and friendly, too!
(5)
Conchita C.
One bite! Just one bite into the green chile chicken enchiladas, and I was HOME! OMG, they are heaven EVERY time! Service was very good.
(5)
Chris E.
An excellent restaurant with pleasant staff and wonderful food. I highly recommend this restaurant to any one who likes good food and friendly service. Affordable, too!
(4)
Jeffrey B.
Came to Las Cruces for business and asked for the best, authentic New Mexican food. We came here with our customer and was not disappointed. A little wait for a 10 person table for lunch (15 mins) but, well worth it.
(5)
Ella M.
I have never had a meal I didn't like here. If only I could find a place like this in Phoenix! How can you go wrong with red enchiladas with an egg on top? Great service and also very prompt. There is almost always a wait, but I guarantee it is worth the wait! Looking forward to my next trip home!
(5)
Jenna L.
I honestly cannot remember what I had for lunch here a few weeks ago, maybe chile con carne since I am on that kick recently. But what I do remember was saving room for something I have never seen on a menu. Double chocolate sopapilla. It is a big chocolate sopapilla stuffed with chocolate ice cream. (see photo). The service was good and we didn't have to wait for a table.
(4)
Brenda A.
Passing through on I-10 and this detour was well worth it! Delicious cheese dip; I mean - this is a cheese overload. Creamy, high quality for sure - and its huge. I had the chicken fajitas - excellent - char on the chicken was wonderful and chicken was tender and perfect. Mr Muscle had a combo plate - again, they DO NOT cheat you on the cheese; enchilada with chile verde, beef taco - all excellent. Salsa is delish also - a bit fiery but great. I don't think the chips were fresh/homemade since they were tri-colored (which bugs me) but they were good none the less. Waitress was awesome, let Mr. Muscle taste the verde sauce and we are glad we did. Family joint, well-lit, juke box, kids, but staff is plentiful, prices are right and the food was spot on!
Clean restaurant with good food and decent service
(3)
Ricky S.
First off, I need to disclose the fact that I'm not really a fan of Tex-Mex (or, I've been corrected, even NewMexMex) cuisine. Gooey queso, sour cream, and chimichongas make me queasy. However, I gotta say, if I gotta do some American-Mex, this is probably about as good as it gets. The chile con carne (green) was mightly tasty. I also enjoyed the enchiladas- a little bit gooey for my taste, but I can understand how it could be really appealing to those who like the whole Faux-Mex thing. Pushing the whole experience over the top were, in reverse order: the rice, the beans, the michelada-syle beers, and the chips and salsa. Rice was top quality, good. Beans, full of manteca and wonderful. Yummy frosted glass with big chunks of salt all over the rim, ice with a bunch of lime juice made my Corona taste like the bomb. And, the salsa. Well, I like hot stuff. Seldom am I impressed with the heat of so-called "hot sauce" served to everyone with chips. Not only were the chips fresh and flavorful, but the salsa knocked my socks off. Use caution if you're not a spice fan, but if you are, you'll love it!! Overall, it was a good experience, and one I'd gladly repeat next time fate takes me to lovely Las Cruces.
(4)
Fern m.
Tried this place for dinner and was not disappointed. I had their queso appetizer which was delicious and really filling that it could of been a meal on its own. My order of rainbow enchiladas was good but I have had better enchiladas in other places. Our server was very attentive and made sure to stop by and check on us for drink refills which is always appreciated. Good food and excellent prices makes it a must try if you are in Las Cruces.
(4)
Brian K.
Chicken fajita burrito. Green Chile. Queso. AMAZING salsa. I might just have to make a return trip to NM just for the food. Also, great service. Seems to be a college crowd as far as the servers go, and I'm good with that. I love supporting and tipping young folks who are willing to go above and beyond to ensure great service. This place is a gem. Top notch food. Great service. CHILI! What more can you ask for?
(5)
Carlos M.
This restaurant is amazing! This was my first time here and it was the bomb! The staff is sweet, the food was fast and delicious!! I totally recommend. It is cheap money wise and you get way more bang for your buck...Go here!!!
(5)
Mason R.
Green chile enchiladas with an egg. My friend suggested it. I doubted him. I was wrong. It was outstanding. So was the beef quesadias and the guacamole and the rice and beans. Only problem is that there's no hard alcohol. But what if you drink beer and wine? I say 5 stars.
(5)
Nicole N.
We were just passing through the city, had a hankering for Mexican food, and picked El Sombrero from the vast selection of spots. Service was fantastic; friendly, fast and attentive, but not in a stalker-ish way. The salsa was really tasty, with a little bit of heat, which we loved. The guacamole was alright, but not my favorite. I got tacos with steamed corn tortillas, which was perfect for me. Loved the flavor. The portions were generous and the food was pretty damn good. Would stop in again and recommend this place to anyone looking for good quality, inexpensive Mexican food in Las Cruces.
(4)
Lucky M.
Pretty good food, really nice servers. Guacamole was really good, had jalapeños but not overly spicy. Salsa was really good, but a bit on the salty side. Regular chicken fajitas could have used a bit more spice or seasoning. The double chocolate sopapilla could be shared between 4 people - it's huge! Make sure you get a knife, a spoon won't cut it through the sopapilla and ice cream. All the staff was really nice.
(3)
Chris S.
The quest for the best Mexican food in Las Cruces continues, albeit at a bit slower pace. Much to my wife's frustration, half of the time when we eat out, we end up at the sushi bar, so our experimentation has slowed a bit. But we finally found ourselves in the mood for Mexican food, so it was time to cross another place off the list of restaurants to try, and that brought us to "The Hat." Read on to see if this old Sombrero fits. Service: 3/5 This was really the only part of our whole experience that was lacking. Our server took a long time in getting to us. The hostess (who was very kind) ended up taking our drink order before we saw our actual server. When we did finally see her, we only saw her twice... once to take our order and once to bring the check. I know that "hovering" can be just as annoying as "neglect," but this experience definitely slanted far too much towards the later. I didn't feel like we were really taken care of by our server. But... the other employees we dealt with were very nice. The hostess and the guy who brought our food were both very nice and made the experience acceptable. Food: 5/5 Overall the food was great. I loved their salsa. It is a bit on the spicy side, but it has flavor to go with the heat, always a sticking point for me. I love some kick as much as the next guy, but it has to have some flavor to go with the punch. This stuff did and it was great. My wife ordered some nachos, basic stuff but they didn't skimp on the toppings. They were smothered in plenty of beans and cheese. Often places will cut corners here and just dribble on the toppings. Not at "The Hat," they were very generous. I ordered a combination plate with a taco, tamale, and enchilada. They were all very good, flavorful and satisfying. Overall I'd give the food here a very slight edge over Andele. Overall Impressions: 4/5 "The Hat" is a quaint little place. It is a bit cramped on the inside and at this time of year, eating outside probably isn't the best option. It's pretty chilly, even for the desert. So I'd imagine the patio aspect of this place plays a bit better in the summertime. It was pretty busy the night we were in so it was fairly loud and the tables are a bit cramped. Having small children now, this is a bit more of an issue for me than in was in the past. Fitting a high chair at a table, or accounting for little messes is difficult in a tightly packed setting. So that's what knocks off a point there for me. The prices are definitely good and you certainly get what you pay for. My wife and I walked out for $20, and that is really saying something these days. Anyplace you can go and get dinner for two for $20 gets the thumbs up in my book. So overall I will certainly be back. Is it the best game in town? The service we received prevents me from going that far. But they did earn a repeat customer, and we'll see if they can earn that star back. :)
(4)
Brian W.
EL sombrero is exactly what it claims to be a simple Mexican restaurant right Away I was greeted by nice hostess and quickly sat at my table. I had an ice cold beer and then chips and a nice spicy salsa. I ordered the combo number two with green chili it was fantastic the chili was just the right spice, the entire plate was delicious and not an once was left when I finished. Then on the recommendation of the waitress I ordered the cinnamon sugar sopapillas and it was wonderful. I will be back for sure
(5)
Abelardo M.
The rainbow enchiladas are amazing, one of my favorite spots when visiting Las Cruces.
(5)
Mike E.
Driving around after disappointingly failing at finding what sounded like an interesting place, hunger drove us into this driveway. We almost pulled away again thinking it looked a little too barlike on the outside. Don't judge by the outside. This is local LC as good as Mexican in this town gets. Chips and salsa were great which is one of the key indicators of good Mexican. The red chile burrito was quite delicious. The chile rellenos were home made, egg battered (so not coated by batter) fresh and fantastic. If you're in this part of the world, and you're not eating green chiles, then I gotta ask "why ever did you come?"
(5)
Cat B.
The salsa is not chunky and very good! The food was pretty good. I wouldn't get the salad again. Go for traditional New Mex food.
(3)
Lynda B.
I seriously used to love this place. Their outdoor patio is great, the servers are nice and their salsa is the best in town. BUT my daughter, husband, friend's boyfriend and friend have all gotten food poisoning from them on separate occasions! Never again!!! Such a shame. Good thing you read this before getting dysentery from them- You've been warned!!!
(1)
Annette F.
The Hat....another local favorite of mine! This is a must stop for anyone living or visiting Las Cruces! Watch out for the salsa it has a kick. They do not mess around when it comes to salsa. Cool your mouth off with a delicious house margarita or sangria. The green chicken chili enchiladas are a must! Mmmmm....this delicious dish will not disappoint. The enchiladas are smothered with green chili sauce and cheese. Sometimes the the green chili will have a kick and a side of sour cream will be good to have around. The key to visiting The Hat is patience. Lots of people have heard about this place and they are always busy. Sometimes you pick a slow time but within minutes this place can get packed. Next time you are in town check out this awesome local place. Its worth the stop!
(5)
Nicole S.
I moved to the area late last year and I haven't been able to find a Mexican place that I like. ( I'm pretty sure that I'm used to Tex-Mex ..... which is why I love this place. ) Anyway, everything is amazing. I love their spicy fajitas which have jalapenos and green chili in them. Mmm... I'll be going back.
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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 : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
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.
Elizabeth M.
Seriously the best place in town for salsa and queso! I had the shredded beef (brisket) burrito smothered in chile con queso. While the beef was a bit on the dry side, mopping up the delicious queso with it was no problem. Many trips to El Sombrero has taught me to stick with what I like and for me it's a beef burrito smothered in queso. Or the beef steak ( a large hamburger patty smothered in queso) or on the lighter side the taco salad. Our service was fantastic this time. Fast and friendly our server (Tamara) did a fantastic job of making our dining experience an enjoyable event. My husband had the green chile, cheese, bacon burger (enough said). We also enjoyed a beer each and a sm side queso with our gratis salsa and chips. Total bill 18.79 that's my kind of dinning! Thank you El Sombrero for a wonderful dinner.
(4)Lizzie M.
This is my favorite mexican food place in las cruces. The staff are friendly, the beer is cold and the food is awesome! A few of my favorite plates are the chicken tacos and the green chili smothered burritos! And their jukebox is pretty cool too. selena and motorhead with my tecate? yes, please.
(5)Miz S.
Eat the salsa. Eat the salsa. Eat the salsa. If you know you're coming here the day before, call ahead to have some put aside for you to purchase and bring home. This restaurant can stand on the salsa alone. Some sort of green deliciousness with just the right amount of spice. I want the recipe. if I lived here, I would consider working at the restaurant so I could learn the secrets of tasty. The beef taco was also excellent (I'm pretty sure the tortilla was fresh made). Eat them all.Sadly, I am knocking you down one star because your tamale (I love tamales!) was dry. But you HAVE them on the menu, so I'm hoping it was just an off day. The waitress was extremely nice and attentive and the ambience is very cute. You can eat inside or outside. The dessert menu looked pretty nice (churros and sopapillas!) but sadly, i was too full. If you are ever in the area, stop by this jewel of the desert.
(4)Mike P.
The best mexican food in las cruces. Get the fajita burrito covered in queso. Additionally, they have the BIGGEST flautas around by far. A must see!
(5)Jesse S.
This is probably one of my top 10 favorite restaurants I've ever been to. Every time I go to Las Cruces to visit my friends from college, we end up eating here at least once or twice. The food is awesome! I always get the green chile chicken enchiladas and I am never disappointed. I wish I could find enchiladas that good where I live, but sadly I haven't found anything that even comes close. Besides the amazing food, the best part is the price. Even if I get chips and queso, a glass of their yummy sangria,and my entree, its always under $20, which is awesome. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is the service. Its hit or miss. I've had some awesome servers and I've had others who forget things we ordered or take forever to bring the check. Either way I'll be going to El Sombrero on my next trip to Cruces.
(4)Alicia R.
My favorite restaurant in Las Cruces!! The salsa and the queso fundido are delicious! I've never ordered anything I didn't like here and the servers are all very welcoming and remember you upon return. A must at least once a week :)
(5)S R.
So delicious, we went twice in one week. The red chicken enchilada was great. Very filling. Friendly, fast service, too. Next time we're back in Las Cruces, this will definitely be on our list of must dos.
(5)Patrick W.
Had some amazing enchiladas. Next time i'm in new mexico, i know where i will be headed!
(5)Judith S.
I went here for lunch a couple of times. It is bright and fun inside (which you would not guess from the outside), pink vinyl on the tables, 50s styled chairs and a juke box playing some music. The tacos were great and so were the churros. If I were to head back to Las Cruces for a long weekend, I would probably choose to come back here for a traditional Mexican meal in a fun setting.
(4)Briana B.
Pretty good Mexican food in a town of lots of Mexican food!!!
(4)Michele G.
Salsa is to die for, we are regulars & have never had a bad meal. Service is dicey on occasion but they make up for it in the meal.
(5)Brian O.
Our lunch was excellent - quality and quanity too. Salsa was very good and our waiter was excellent. Would definitely return!
(4)Angela O.
There are places i remember, all my life ... and hate. Or love. I kinda sorta hate Las Cruces, barring a handful of special friends, memories, hikes, plants ... and the SALSA AT EL SOMBRERO. Do they bottle it yet? This damned restaurant was the primary reason I gained 10 pounds in my late-20s ... oh dear ... I want to teleport back, buy a veritable crate of salsa, and get home to LA NOW! I'd share!
(5)Diana G.
Looks like a hole in the wall but food is always good. Salsa is great. Service is good too. Only issue is that it is often cramped feeling inside. Good affordable food. Worth a stop.
(4)Kathryn T.
This place was recommended to me I almost missed it but I was glad I found it. True it is sorta americana but the waitress recomended a dish do not remember the name it was a chicken breast covered in green chilies with cheese on top really yummy! Like the salsa too! Restaurant has an interesting layout??? I will return to try more.
(4)Jon M.
This place is awesome!!! I always have the shredded beef in either tacos, burritos or flautas. Best shredded beef in the LC!!!
(4)Jim L.
Carrillo's Cafe has way better food! Though El Somb isn't bad, Carrillo's out does it!!! The chef/owner at Carrillo's Cafe use to be the chef at El Somb many years ago when El Somb was where Carrillo's Cafe is now, so that in itself should tell the DUH in you that Carrillo's Cafe is far better - it has to be!
(2)Michael B.
All the high reviews shock me. This place is average at best. Worst is that the Green Chile Bowl was so freakin' hot that it took me 45 minutes to plow through it with about 5 large glasses of water. I had to complete the challenge and didn't even get a T-Shirt or my name on the wall but seriouosly...this is not food. It is crazy hot and cannot be tasted otherwise. The server should have warned us. I'm still sick from it 24 hours later. (Actually my wife ordered it and almost went into shock after one bite so we switched) Wife ate my Fajitas which were just average and swimming in grease with a small portion of meat to boot. I know and love hot spicy food and I know and love Mexican and Southwestern fare. I will NEVER return to this place. Service also was not good. I had to ask three times to get silverware and napkins which finally came long after the food was delivered. There are servers running around everywhere but they won't bother to help out at another table real quick and our gal was nowhere to be seen. Place is also very crowded and noisy. I'm going to try the Carillos tonight that was mentioned in another review of this joint. (If I can get out of the bathroom today!) Do yourself a favor and eat elsewhere. "The Hat" is overrated.
(2)Joshua J.
Gotta be the best salsa in town! Food and service are both great and they have great beer specials and an awesome patio.
(5)Ernie S.
Solid Mexican food that seems a little "white" in both taste and style. Still, the 9.95 fajitas (YES!) and the enchiladas were solid. The place was packed too. It's a good choice, but I wanted something a bit more truly New Mexican in style and taste.
(4)erin s.
I asked for a recommendation and said "ok, I'll have that" so I'm not sure what I got but it was delicious. Not the best mexican food I've had, but it was very good. The salsa was fresh and spicy- if you don't like spicy, don't try it!!
(4)Tina B.
The waitress that originally sat us down was really nice. Then another waitress came to take our order right after we sat down. We weren't ready, and just ordered our waters. She was extremely inpatient until we gave her our order.......we felt very rushed. She also wasn't exactly blooming with personality. Once our food came out we NEVER saw her again, no drink refills, nothing. We saw how friendly the other waiters were with their tables, we had waiter envy. We had to ask other staff for things. I ordered the veggie tacos, the one thing i will say about this is that these tacos would have been awesome if they were sauteed mushrooms and veggies instead of cold raw ones. It was basically a salad in a corn tortilla, which was not what i was looking for.
(2)Filicana B.
The people that work at El Sombrero are very friendly. However, their food is heart-attack worthy! I ordered the chicken fajitas, thinking it was going to be healthy. What I received was greasy chicken and vegetables. My hubby ordered a smothered burrito, and requested the green chile sauce; they did not tell him it was a cheesy green chile sauce! While the food was simple and tasty, it's definitely not healthy, if that's important to you (it is to me!).
(1)Seth W.
El Sombrero stays pretty busy, and it's a not bad, unpretentious little diner. The few times I had Green Enchiladas there, the tortillas were completely uncooked, and as such, almost uncuttable. The time or two that I had fajitas there, they were completely generic, the sort of pre-seasoned meat you would buy off a restaurant supply truck. Occasionally they'll have some specials that are good, but the real draw here are the flautas and the salsa. The chips are weird, sometimes kinda soggy but the salsa is pretty good. I would probably buy it in a jar. Just a petty quibble here, but if you have a jukebox, and it's playing music, you shouldn't turn it off when a customer decides to play a few songs. It's rude. If you don't want me to play Tom Petty or Selena, plug the coin slot or remove the jukebox. Overall though, El Sombrero is a decent enough place to enjoy some flautas and a a cold beer on the patio.
(2)Tonia D.
I moved from Las Cruces two years ago and have cravings for their Flautas every once in awhile, so I figured El Sombero would be my first Yelp review (because I am thinking of them right now). As noted above the chicken flour Flautas are amazing. The sour cream and guacamole are perfect for dipping. They are huge and with beans and rice make a very large meal. . Especially after eating tons of free chips and salsa. This was my go-to dish but others I would go with enjoyed the stuffed Sopaipillas and the steak covered in green chili. ::Drooling:: The waitresses were always very sweet, and I say waitresses because I don't think I ever had a male waiter. If I am ever back in Cruces, I will make a point to go back and so should you.
(5)A R.
I love me the hat!!! Great enchilada plates, and killer beer prices. They have a nice patio that they've managed to block off from the busy street directly on the other side of the wall. They are open a little later than some places. Usually busy, but worth a wait if you have one. Prices are some of the best for the amount and quality of food. Decent service, the servers are usually busy so I cut them some slack on this. One of my favorite New Mexican restaurants. The interior and decor is nothing fancy, but who needs fancy when you have really good green chile? Make sure to get an egg on your enchiladas-if you're not from around here, you might not know you have the option!
(4)Cathy R.
Mucho excellent!!! The salsa delish, green chicken enchaladas to die for. Chicken tampico muay good. Service excellent.. resonable prices.
(5)Richelle E.
Really a letdown, the green sauce I read so much about tasted like cream sauce, no spice or kick at all. I did like the salsa, and maybe I should have ordered something else, but don't bother for the enchiladas (with green sauce).
(2)Nick R.
Decent New Mexican food for a moderate price. Like other have mentioned, the chili and chili sauce is really poor. It lacks good flavor and heat. The green sauce looks and tastes a lot like cream, not green chili. The patio is probably the nicest feature of this restaurant, with nice murals on adobe walls. The salsa is decent too. I am often guilty of remembering things as better than they actually were, but I swear this place used to have great, hot New Mexican food in the nineties.
(3)Stephanie S.
I've eaten at El Sombrero since before I can remember, when it used to be down on Church St. & Amador behind what was the Welcome Inn. They have THE best red salsa in town (I wish they would bottle it), my favorite green chile cheese enchiladas, and ground beef gorditas that I dream of. The dining room is small but there is the patio which is very nice, if only they'd switch out the round tables for something you can group together more easily, as I'm more often than not eating there with my entire family. A must-eat when in LC
(4)Nate M.
Not only is the food GREAT, the patio is awesome. U have to try their green chili con queso smothered burrito.
(5)Jeff H.
One of the top 2 or 3 Mexican food restaurants in Las Cruces. They serve a cream style green chile sauce that is unlike any in the area. Great food, ok atmosphere. Highly recommend!
(4)Jerry W.
Each New Mex restaurant has something that brings me back. El Sombrero has the green chile queso sauce. Very Good! The place is always packed.
(4)David J.
I really like the atmosphere and service here. The waitress was attentive and nice and the food was excellent. Great little place with a great patio area to relax in. Again, the service and quality were fantastic and I will definitely be going back there again.
(4)Kevin D.
The chips and salsa were rockin'. The parking lot is a mess, as in just pull in and stop somewhere. I have the stacked enchiladas with ground beef, red sauce and rice. It was good, fresh ingredients and a nice flavor. It was a great diner lunch. Enchiladas w/rice. Sour cream and an iced tea. $12.50
(3)Mark C.
Their fajitas calientes are excellent. My friends also liked the huevos rancheros and chile rellenos. The chips and salsa were also very good.
(5)Kat H.
el sombrero was cute, but kinda boring. they seem to be going for the simple vibe, but it's almost gone too far. the waitresses were nice enough, but not especially friendly. they just kind of did their thing and left. although i will say my drink was never empty and my food came quickly. the salsa was good, but the chips were lacking (i heard they re-fry the ones from roberto's? i dunno if that's true, but it might explain the weird, in-between soft and crunchy-ness to them). LOVE the giant glasses of tea. i got the veggie tacos, which sounded great on the menu, but ended up being mostly sprouts and stale mushrooms.
(2)Cassy B.
Has anyone here in Las Cruces ever had good food?? Again, bland except their chips and salsa are very good. Who has ever heard of not making enchiladas without onions. Makes it very bland but if you order onions on the side, it;'s ok. they do have onions it that kitchen, they just don't use them in the food?????
(2)Josh M.
It was decent and it was cheap so thats good. The sauce they use for their enchiladas isn't very good though, but thats just my opinion. The tacos were very good. Not the best place but you can do worse. i will probably go back.
(3)Tommy E.
The house salsa is hot for me, but they have a really good picante or even Pace if requested. I love the Sombrero Tacos on flour tortillas. I have been here several times and will continue to go back. I do enjoy the quesadillas too. For some reason the Cheeseburger might be one of the best in town. Service is usually good, however it is a busy place during lunch and dinner hours and can have a bit of a wait sometimes. I think it is worth the wait.
(5)Kimberly F.
Chips were great and so was the salsa- which was spicy and that's exactly how I like it. Opted for the caliente fajitas and they were fantastic. Everything on the menu that was had was outstanding and our server was helpful, personable and attentive. Couldn't have asked for a better experience. Will definitely be coming back.
(5)Isaac Y.
BEST BURGER I'VE EVER HAD! I heard New Mexico was famous for the green chili cheese burgers, and this place was suppose to be the best in Las Cruces, so I stoped by here on my way to Arizona, and man am I glad to have visited. They are great for lunches and the atmosphere is great. The service is EXCELLENT and they check in on you often to make sure you have everything you need in a timely manner. i asked for the burger and the server didn't stall or anything, just got right down to it and brought me what I wanted. The burger was excellent, and a few things they did right to make it a superb meal. The meat first of all contained all the juices and wasn't over/undercooked. The green chili was next, and it was just the right amount of spicy for you to really enjoy the food instead of gulping down your drink. They also provide you lettuce onions tomatoes, mustard and mayo separately so if you wanted to put any of those on the burger you could, and its thoughtful of them to do so so that those who want to just taste the meat and the chilis can do that. The fries were excellent, and I think they cook it with penut oil tasted a bit like 5 guys fries, except not as soggy. Excellent food, excellent service, good prices. Definitely recommend.
(5)Tracy W.
I love El Sombrero. Another must-visit when I'm home, they have excellent chips and salsa to get you started. It's been a long time since I've ordered anything other than a taco plate, but my friends and family have ordered a whole variety of things that have all been favorably reviewed. They frequently offer off-menu specials and run contests via their Facebook page, so check it out before you go in case there's something extra special on offer that day!
(5)Judy a.
We are just passing thru on our way to Texas, wanted some yummy Mexican food, looked on Yelp and found this place. 3 stars because 1 if I asked for a Bud Light michalida and you say YES we make them , then make it right, I didn't drink it, it was a cup filled half way with lime juice. Gross, I asked for the Clamato they said we don't have any, really any amateur knows that's the key ingredient to a michalida , #2 everybody seem to talk about that red and green enchiladas on yelp, be prepared that the green one is much hotter then the red? not tasty at all, i'm from LA and I'm used to certain type of food this was amateur at best, it was not authentic the beans were not homemade the rice was like Rice-A-Roni. I gave it three stars because the ribeye was OK. But I'm sure in New Mexico there are much better places to eat so do yourself a favor if you're used to real Mexican food look around this is Mexican food was more for "white people " a step about a Taco Bell type.
(3)Amanda P.
They have the best salsa of all time. I live in Philadelphia now so I wish they would jar it and sell it so I could take it with me!
(5)Julio B.
I love this place, I crave and dream about this place when I am in Miami! Came back to Cruces to see the fam and took my Mom to my favorite place in Cruces(El Sombrero) This Place would get 10 stars if I could do it. Food is always delicious and service is awesome. My Mom has Cancer and they were so accommodating. Thank you so much, your staff are great. What a gem this place is.
(5)Mike G.
I can't believe I have never written a review for this place. Although I don't live in Cruces anymore I have eaten here probably 100's of times over the last 30 some years. This is usually our first stop in town when we come to visit. Let's start with the salsa, it is the definitely one of the best around and the chips are always fresh and crispy and the servers are constantly putting a fresh basket and more salsa on your table. Be warned, don't fill up too much on these or you will be disappointed because you won't be able to finish your main meal. I've pretty much tried everything here but my go to is either the red or green enchiladas with an over easy egg, beans and rice but be assured everything here is great. My other go to is a combo with an enchilada (again either red or green) a ground beef taco and a chile relleno. Oh and make sure to get an order of sopapillas WITH your meal. There's nothing better then tearing off a corner drizzling a bunch of honey inside and then stuffing it full with everything off of you plate. Either eat now or take it home for a little snack later. I highly recommend "The Hat" and encourage you to try out one of the best "New" Mexican joints in town. Theres a reason they've been around for so long!
(5)Whitney P.
Stopped here on a road trip from Atlanta back home to Los Angeles. Based on the reviews I expected a bit more, but it wasn't bad. I usually enjoy the chips and salsa more than an actual meal, but the salsa was so runny and so spicy here, I couldn't gain my usual 10 pounds of muffin top after indulging in Mexican food. So maybe I should thank them? Because the salsa was a no go, we decided to fatten my ass up another way, so the sizzling cheese dip looked like the fastest way to accomplish some junk in the trunk. The cheese dip was a great big, hot oily mess, and the best part of our meal. I couldn't choose what to order, so I ordered chicken tacos. The lunch plate of 2 was only $5, and I haven't had such a cheap meal since the cafeteria in middle school, so I went for it. I settled on tacos after much going back and forth and wish I had swayed another way, maybe onto a safer quesadilla, or skipped the entrée all together, ordered more cheese and one of their extra large desserts. Hindsight. It's little things like this that will really mess with your mind on a 3,000-mile road trip. The tacos were blah, very very dry, the salsa as mentioned before was like red hot water and the tomatoes on the taco were mushy and light pink. My husband got the fajitas and that seemed like a much more acceptable choice, fresher and more plentiful. My tacos looked like they had just unwrapped them from plastic wrap and hit the minute button on the microwave. I also couldn't wrap my head around WTF they meant by rolled or wrapped or folded or whatever tacos. A footnote may have been helpful. Not sure what mine were ultimately deemed, but I'll call them stale, crunchy and oddly soggy yet dry anemic tacos. All in all the staff was super friendly, it's better than going to taco bell or McDonald's on the road, and what looked like a low level family of Mexican drug dealer's in wife beater's seated next to us gave the place a real exciting, fun for the whole family ambiance. Did I mention the sizzling cheese?
(3)Kelly K.
Exactly what we were looking for. Great authentic mexican fast and cheap. Great service too!
(5)Andrew G.
Food was good, waitress was good, no wait to be seated, red chile sauce was hotter then hell
(3)Barry C.
A hole-in-the-wall restaurant with pretty good food. Lunchtime was packed so I chose to sit outdoors on the patio--quite hot in September. The free salsa was well made and quite hot. I had a salad special and it was fresh and tasty. Service was friendly and fast--no complaints all around.
(4)Maureen K.
On the plus side, the servers and the manager were incredibly friendly - welcomed us every though we were (inadvertently) their last customers of the day. The decor is loud, fun, happy, with a real juke box offering a wide variety of music. The food was okay -- though if you're new to NM as we are, beware the kick given by the red sauce LOL. My negative - the style of pricing on the menu. I ordered "Rainbow Enchiladas" - one with red, one with green, one with sour cream. Do you want meat with that? Ummm - yes, chicken. OK, $2 uptick. Do you want beans and/or rice? Sure. OK, as you find out when you get your bill, it's another $2. Bit by bit the bill goes up. And then there's the "wine margaritas." Yukk. But I really wanted a drink after a day's traveling . . . but they are really, really yukky. Save your money. Order carefully, drink wisely, and get on with life.
(3)Alexander A.
Blessed by the V8, So Shiny, So Chrome. Sombrero is awaited in Valhalla!
(5)Denny L.
I want to start out by saying that this place is deceptively big, so don't be fooled! It doesn't look like much from the outside, but the restaurant can hold plenty of people, both inside and on the patio. The parking is plentiful and the parking lot wraps around the building, so you can access the lot from both Amador and Espina. My girlfriend and I stopped by here one Friday night at dinner time. After an anticipated short wait we were seated outside on the patio. The temperature that night was in the 40s, and although there are a few little heaters out on the patio, dinner was a little chilly, but still enjoyable. The chips and salsa that were served were decent. The chips were your ordinary tortilla chips. The salsa was too hot for my girlfriend, but I rather enjoyed it. The waitress was also nice enough to bring out little samples of the red and green sauces so my girlfriend could try them, and she said that they were too spicy for her as well. My girlfriend got the rolled tacos plate and I opted for the beef fajitas caliente. The rolled tacos were some of the best rolled tacos I've ever had. The shell was both fluffy and crispy and the center was stuffed with fillings. We tried one beef, one chicken and one cheese. All of them were delicious. While my fajitas came out fresh and sizzling, the pan was smaller than I was expecting. Even though there wasn't as much meat as I was hoping for, it had excellent flavor. The onions and peppers paired beautify with the meat that was cooked perfectly. The guacamole was very good as well. Now for the bad part. Our food took WAY too long to arrive. A table of six that sat down after us was almost done eating their food by the time ours even arrived at the table. We didn't order anything super complicated. As I said, we just had some tacos and fajitas. The waitress was very nice and kept assuring us that our order would be out 'soon', but it wasn't. The sides to my fajitas were brought out 15 minutes before the fajitas arrived. There are plenty of other reviews for this place that commend the restaurant for their speedy service, so maybe we just stopped by on a bad night. The food was good enough that it warrants another meal here to see if our first experience here was a fluke or not.
(3)Cameron N.
Really good queso and i enjoyed the green chile chix enchiladas. Chips and Salsa has good heat. Although i have yet to find a mexican place with fantastic all around dishes, i would recommend this place as near the top of the plethora of mexican restaurants in Las Cruces. Will definitely go back.
(4)Taylor V.
Great food! Everything was served shortly after ordering. Staff was very sweet and friendly, but could be a little more attentive. For example, getting water refills, utensils, correct dressings, etc. overall a great place! 3 stars because I had several things go wrong with my order.
(3)Brian H.
Hit the spot. A great find and obviously a local hot spot. Salsa was amazing! I'll make it a point to come here anytime I'm in Las Cruces.
(5)Nicole P.
Anyplace that lists the desserts right under the appetizers on the menu is my kinda place. Excellent Mexican rice and the enchiladas are great.
(5)Rachel G.
I totally love this place! It's where my husband and I love to go when we are feeling like celebrating! the staff is very capable and friendly and the food, ohhh dont even get me started! their queso and salsa is to die for!!!!! I usualy get the chiken fajita quesadia just so i have something amazing to eat with the queso. price is reasonable for the quality!
(5)Kina L.
I've been here about 3 times now whenever Im in town and the food has been very consistent. Today for the first time I ordered something other then the fajitas (which are delicious). The salad with grilled beef was very good. I was impressed with the amount of grilled meat on the salad. Probably the equivalent of the fajitas. I've always had a great experience with their servers- attentive and quick to refill drinks. Only negative that knocks them down a star is that their salsa is just way too salty.
(4)J L.
I really don't get why the people who like this place like it. It is rather gross. I had the gorditas which just tasted ok. Other food tasted like it came out of a can and was two or three times the cost of better places. Tried this place a couple of times. Food was mediocre to horrible. Plates for two people came to over $30. Ridiculous. Eh, pass.
(1)Cheryl O.
After attending college at NMSU, when I go back to visit, I have a couple of favorite restaurants. El Sombrero tops the list. Prices have gone up in the past 25 years but considering an enchilada plate has gone from about $3.50 to $6.00, it's still a bargain and what I believe to be the tastiest food in town. I admit to always getting the cheese enchiladas but recently a friend ordered the Caliente Fajitas and said they were excellent. Chips are fresh and good. Salsa is tasty - not too hot, but good flavor.
(5)Angelique P.
Oh my gosh where do I even begin? The place is lively, the food was the bomb, their waitstaff is AMAZING! We were in Las Cruces from Santa Fe visiting family and our family recommended El Sombrero for dinner and I'm sure glad they did! The salsa was THE BEST I've ever eaten! I even had to bring some home with me! The gorditas were sooooo yummy and the cheese in the enchiladas was so creamy...YUM! My husband said their green chile cheeseburger was the best he's EVER had! Garrett was just the most friendly and sweet server I've ever had the pleasure to meet! Thank you for a really enjoyable way to end a long drive! Now you guys just need to expand to Santa Fe! :)
(5)Candace S.
I went for a late lunch on a weekday and the service was very attentive and the food came out super quick! The salsa was fresh but pretty spicy. I ordered the rainbow enchiladas with added chicken as this type of dish is usually how I judge a Mexican place I've never been before. I think they're red sauce was the best and most flavorful, the green just ok, and the sour cream sauce pretty dry. Next time I would probably get the lunch special with two enchiladas with the red sauce only. Overall I thought the food was great and I'm excited to return to try the rest of the menu.
(4)Sherri H.
Very good! Had the queso fundido w/chorizo & fajitas. All very tasty. Salsa is just right for our taste - it's a little bit hot but not too much.
(5)Sara T.
I would have given 5 stars for the food as it was delicious. The patio was a 3 star though since it was open to the elements. When we visited it was 44 degrees outside. When the host asked if we wanted inside or patio we said it didn't matter. We had no idea that the patio would be sooo cold. If they had two heaters (as they do at many patio restaurants) out there it would have been perfect. We ate the whole meal in our coats and watched two families be moved inside. We asked to be moved inside after getting our drinks, but was told 3 parties had arrived ahead of us. They said we would go to the bottom of the list. My mom found the food to be too spicy for her as she medically can't have too spicy of food. The rest of us loved our food.
(4)Laura F.
All of our food was excellent. I had flautas and my hubby had tostadas compuestas. He mixed two red chile and one green chile and said the red was way better. The salsa was perfect which is the reason I wanted to return to El Sombrero after moving away from here. I missed the salsa and it didn't disappoint. But as good as all that was it didn't touch our stellar service. Danielle was our server and she took anticipated out every need and made me feel like our table was special and important to her all while running a full section in a packed place. Everything was timely, tasty and terrific.
(5)Dave W.
I've been eating there since 1976. Great food and super great service!!
(5)Vic V.
Very good Southwest New Mexico Green Chili. Combination 3 with Green Chili, Shredded Chicken Enchiladas and Taco. Green Chili Queso appetizer made from Baby Back Jack Cheese.
(4)Jim D.
Overall, it's my favorite place to eat in New Mexico. I love eating here. It's an enjoyable place to go and get some good grub and beers. Haven't been to this place as much as I wish I would have. Starting out, the environment here is pretty relaxing and happy. Very bright, neon signs, everyone is enjoying themselves as I look around. The staff is very pleasant and polite. Our waitress is the shift manager which says to me that she enjoys what she does and helps out even though she's the manager. The salsa and chips are so flavorful, you could eat them for your meal. The salsa has a little spice but that is overtaken by the amount of flavor it packs. Pretty decent beer selection for a small place but that's not really of use to people like myself who stick to beer that says Coors or Dos Equis on the side. Plus the happy hour has some decent prices on domestics and appetizers. Me and one of my friends decided to split an appetizer of nachos; big mistake for only 2 people. The pile of chips and cheese and meat and beans was overflowing when placed on our table ( as seen in pictures ). Once again, the flavor was perfect and it was covered perfectly with the right amount of cheese. I ordered the Grande Quesadillas with chicken for lunch. Probably the best quesadillas in the area. Worth coming to try from El Paso. Perfect taste, perfect quantity and they are probably the thickest quesadillas I've ever had.
(5)Shawna H.
Very delicious and excellent service! Highly recommend the cheese enchiladas with green sauce WITH a fried egg on top! You've also got to try the coconut tea...AMAZING!
(4)Chris C.
went here the other night based upon a recommendation...rainbow enchiladas with an egg, Modelo and service all good...
(4)Mellisa G.
Drove from Dallas to Las Cruces to visit family, we looked up local spots for good food and drinks and this place was awesome! If hit the spot with the green Chile burgers and rainbow enchiladas! DELICIOUS!
(5)Misty M.
We went there by recommendation by trip advisor etc.... We had dinner it was ok basic Mexican fare. We had the Queso with chili, onions and tomatoes it was very good! We then split tacos rice and beans with guacamole. It was all good not great. We've definitely had better fresher guacamole. The salsa was good little on the salty side which I didn't mind but if you do probably not your dealio! We could understand why locals hangout etc... However there are so many other more authentic absolutely delish places to go in Las Cruces we won't go back. Hope this helps. Dave and Misty Muse :)))
(3)Elizabeth S.
Had to bump My Brothers Place down to a 4 after trying this place. Much improved from our visit a couple of years ago!
(5)Brandon P.
A bit spicy for this gringo, but absolutely delicious! One of those rare small joints that deliver amazing food. You won't regret lunch here. Fast and friendly, too!
(5)Conchita C.
One bite! Just one bite into the green chile chicken enchiladas, and I was HOME! OMG, they are heaven EVERY time! Service was very good.
(5)Chris E.
An excellent restaurant with pleasant staff and wonderful food. I highly recommend this restaurant to any one who likes good food and friendly service. Affordable, too!
(4)Jeffrey B.
Came to Las Cruces for business and asked for the best, authentic New Mexican food. We came here with our customer and was not disappointed. A little wait for a 10 person table for lunch (15 mins) but, well worth it.
(5)Ella M.
I have never had a meal I didn't like here. If only I could find a place like this in Phoenix! How can you go wrong with red enchiladas with an egg on top? Great service and also very prompt. There is almost always a wait, but I guarantee it is worth the wait! Looking forward to my next trip home!
(5)Jenna L.
I honestly cannot remember what I had for lunch here a few weeks ago, maybe chile con carne since I am on that kick recently. But what I do remember was saving room for something I have never seen on a menu. Double chocolate sopapilla. It is a big chocolate sopapilla stuffed with chocolate ice cream. (see photo). The service was good and we didn't have to wait for a table.
(4)Brenda A.
Passing through on I-10 and this detour was well worth it! Delicious cheese dip; I mean - this is a cheese overload. Creamy, high quality for sure - and its huge. I had the chicken fajitas - excellent - char on the chicken was wonderful and chicken was tender and perfect. Mr Muscle had a combo plate - again, they DO NOT cheat you on the cheese; enchilada with chile verde, beef taco - all excellent. Salsa is delish also - a bit fiery but great. I don't think the chips were fresh/homemade since they were tri-colored (which bugs me) but they were good none the less. Waitress was awesome, let Mr. Muscle taste the verde sauce and we are glad we did. Family joint, well-lit, juke box, kids, but staff is plentiful, prices are right and the food was spot on!
(4)Jordan J.
I pray this is not what is passed off as authentic in this town. They were out of what I wanted to order, no liqueur to speak of, (who the hell uses wines to make a cocktail), but more importantly, use fresh ingredients. Jalapeños were clearly from a jar/can because the pickling was evident in the flavor. Don't call it grilled if you pulled it out of jar! Sautéed onions and raw onions are not the same thing either. This totally did not live up to the hype I was given. Complete waist of money. Hope this review saves you 20 bucks and the disappointment of eating here.
(1)Joyce A.
Clean restaurant with good food and decent service
(3)Ricky S.
First off, I need to disclose the fact that I'm not really a fan of Tex-Mex (or, I've been corrected, even NewMexMex) cuisine. Gooey queso, sour cream, and chimichongas make me queasy. However, I gotta say, if I gotta do some American-Mex, this is probably about as good as it gets. The chile con carne (green) was mightly tasty. I also enjoyed the enchiladas- a little bit gooey for my taste, but I can understand how it could be really appealing to those who like the whole Faux-Mex thing. Pushing the whole experience over the top were, in reverse order: the rice, the beans, the michelada-syle beers, and the chips and salsa. Rice was top quality, good. Beans, full of manteca and wonderful. Yummy frosted glass with big chunks of salt all over the rim, ice with a bunch of lime juice made my Corona taste like the bomb. And, the salsa. Well, I like hot stuff. Seldom am I impressed with the heat of so-called "hot sauce" served to everyone with chips. Not only were the chips fresh and flavorful, but the salsa knocked my socks off. Use caution if you're not a spice fan, but if you are, you'll love it!! Overall, it was a good experience, and one I'd gladly repeat next time fate takes me to lovely Las Cruces.
(4)Fern m.
Tried this place for dinner and was not disappointed. I had their queso appetizer which was delicious and really filling that it could of been a meal on its own. My order of rainbow enchiladas was good but I have had better enchiladas in other places. Our server was very attentive and made sure to stop by and check on us for drink refills which is always appreciated. Good food and excellent prices makes it a must try if you are in Las Cruces.
(4)Brian K.
Chicken fajita burrito. Green Chile. Queso. AMAZING salsa. I might just have to make a return trip to NM just for the food. Also, great service. Seems to be a college crowd as far as the servers go, and I'm good with that. I love supporting and tipping young folks who are willing to go above and beyond to ensure great service. This place is a gem. Top notch food. Great service. CHILI! What more can you ask for?
(5)Carlos M.
This restaurant is amazing! This was my first time here and it was the bomb! The staff is sweet, the food was fast and delicious!! I totally recommend. It is cheap money wise and you get way more bang for your buck...Go here!!!
(5)Mason R.
Green chile enchiladas with an egg. My friend suggested it. I doubted him. I was wrong. It was outstanding. So was the beef quesadias and the guacamole and the rice and beans. Only problem is that there's no hard alcohol. But what if you drink beer and wine? I say 5 stars.
(5)Nicole N.
We were just passing through the city, had a hankering for Mexican food, and picked El Sombrero from the vast selection of spots. Service was fantastic; friendly, fast and attentive, but not in a stalker-ish way. The salsa was really tasty, with a little bit of heat, which we loved. The guacamole was alright, but not my favorite. I got tacos with steamed corn tortillas, which was perfect for me. Loved the flavor. The portions were generous and the food was pretty damn good. Would stop in again and recommend this place to anyone looking for good quality, inexpensive Mexican food in Las Cruces.
(4)Lucky M.
Pretty good food, really nice servers. Guacamole was really good, had jalapeños but not overly spicy. Salsa was really good, but a bit on the salty side. Regular chicken fajitas could have used a bit more spice or seasoning. The double chocolate sopapilla could be shared between 4 people - it's huge! Make sure you get a knife, a spoon won't cut it through the sopapilla and ice cream. All the staff was really nice.
(3)Chris S.
The quest for the best Mexican food in Las Cruces continues, albeit at a bit slower pace. Much to my wife's frustration, half of the time when we eat out, we end up at the sushi bar, so our experimentation has slowed a bit. But we finally found ourselves in the mood for Mexican food, so it was time to cross another place off the list of restaurants to try, and that brought us to "The Hat." Read on to see if this old Sombrero fits. Service: 3/5 This was really the only part of our whole experience that was lacking. Our server took a long time in getting to us. The hostess (who was very kind) ended up taking our drink order before we saw our actual server. When we did finally see her, we only saw her twice... once to take our order and once to bring the check. I know that "hovering" can be just as annoying as "neglect," but this experience definitely slanted far too much towards the later. I didn't feel like we were really taken care of by our server. But... the other employees we dealt with were very nice. The hostess and the guy who brought our food were both very nice and made the experience acceptable. Food: 5/5 Overall the food was great. I loved their salsa. It is a bit on the spicy side, but it has flavor to go with the heat, always a sticking point for me. I love some kick as much as the next guy, but it has to have some flavor to go with the punch. This stuff did and it was great. My wife ordered some nachos, basic stuff but they didn't skimp on the toppings. They were smothered in plenty of beans and cheese. Often places will cut corners here and just dribble on the toppings. Not at "The Hat," they were very generous. I ordered a combination plate with a taco, tamale, and enchilada. They were all very good, flavorful and satisfying. Overall I'd give the food here a very slight edge over Andele. Overall Impressions: 4/5 "The Hat" is a quaint little place. It is a bit cramped on the inside and at this time of year, eating outside probably isn't the best option. It's pretty chilly, even for the desert. So I'd imagine the patio aspect of this place plays a bit better in the summertime. It was pretty busy the night we were in so it was fairly loud and the tables are a bit cramped. Having small children now, this is a bit more of an issue for me than in was in the past. Fitting a high chair at a table, or accounting for little messes is difficult in a tightly packed setting. So that's what knocks off a point there for me. The prices are definitely good and you certainly get what you pay for. My wife and I walked out for $20, and that is really saying something these days. Anyplace you can go and get dinner for two for $20 gets the thumbs up in my book. So overall I will certainly be back. Is it the best game in town? The service we received prevents me from going that far. But they did earn a repeat customer, and we'll see if they can earn that star back. :)
(4)Brian W.
EL sombrero is exactly what it claims to be a simple Mexican restaurant right Away I was greeted by nice hostess and quickly sat at my table. I had an ice cold beer and then chips and a nice spicy salsa. I ordered the combo number two with green chili it was fantastic the chili was just the right spice, the entire plate was delicious and not an once was left when I finished. Then on the recommendation of the waitress I ordered the cinnamon sugar sopapillas and it was wonderful. I will be back for sure
(5)Abelardo M.
The rainbow enchiladas are amazing, one of my favorite spots when visiting Las Cruces.
(5)Mike E.
Driving around after disappointingly failing at finding what sounded like an interesting place, hunger drove us into this driveway. We almost pulled away again thinking it looked a little too barlike on the outside. Don't judge by the outside. This is local LC as good as Mexican in this town gets. Chips and salsa were great which is one of the key indicators of good Mexican. The red chile burrito was quite delicious. The chile rellenos were home made, egg battered (so not coated by batter) fresh and fantastic. If you're in this part of the world, and you're not eating green chiles, then I gotta ask "why ever did you come?"
(5)Cat B.
The salsa is not chunky and very good! The food was pretty good. I wouldn't get the salad again. Go for traditional New Mex food.
(3)Lynda B.
I seriously used to love this place. Their outdoor patio is great, the servers are nice and their salsa is the best in town. BUT my daughter, husband, friend's boyfriend and friend have all gotten food poisoning from them on separate occasions! Never again!!! Such a shame. Good thing you read this before getting dysentery from them- You've been warned!!!
(1)Annette F.
The Hat....another local favorite of mine! This is a must stop for anyone living or visiting Las Cruces! Watch out for the salsa it has a kick. They do not mess around when it comes to salsa. Cool your mouth off with a delicious house margarita or sangria. The green chicken chili enchiladas are a must! Mmmmm....this delicious dish will not disappoint. The enchiladas are smothered with green chili sauce and cheese. Sometimes the the green chili will have a kick and a side of sour cream will be good to have around. The key to visiting The Hat is patience. Lots of people have heard about this place and they are always busy. Sometimes you pick a slow time but within minutes this place can get packed. Next time you are in town check out this awesome local place. Its worth the stop!
(5)Nicole S.
I moved to the area late last year and I haven't been able to find a Mexican place that I like. ( I'm pretty sure that I'm used to Tex-Mex ..... which is why I love this place. ) Anyway, everything is amazing. I love their spicy fajitas which have jalapenos and green chili in them. Mmm... I'll be going back.
(4)