Welcome to El Comal North Park
At El Comal North Park, traditional Mexican cuisine comes alive in a vibrant and cozy atmosphere. Located in the heart of San Diego, this beloved eatery excels at serving authentic dishes that reflect the rich culinary heritage of Mexico. The menu features favorites like the rich mole con pollo and flavorful carne asada, celebrated for their depth and freshness. Patrons rave about the hearty pozole, perfect for unwinding after a long day. With an inviting ambiance and a friendly staff reminiscent of family gatherings, El Comal promises a memorable culinary experience that makes every visit feel like a celebration of Mexican culture.
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3946 Illinois St, San Diego, CA 92104 Hotline: (619) 294-8292
Welcome to El Comal North Park, a hidden gem nestled in the vibrant heart of San Diego’s North Park neighborhood. Located at 3946 Illinois St, San Diego, CA 92104, this charming Mexican restaurant invites you to embark on a culinary journey that embraces the rich traditions and authentic flavors of Mexico.
The ambiance is bright and welcoming, adorned with traditional Mexican decor that captures the essence of cultural heritage. Each detail, from the vibrant color palette to the friendly wait staff, enhances your dining experience, making you feel as though you’ve stepped into a beloved local eatery. Despite its unassuming exterior, those who venture inside are greeted with warmth and the promise of genuine Mexican hospitality.
At El Comal North Park, the menu is a celebration of classic Mexican dishes, each made with care and attention to detail. Breakfast options such as the Huevos Rancheros ($10) showcase perfectly fried eggs over a crisp tortilla, accompanied by savory ranchero salsa and topped with cotija cheese. Meanwhile, the Machaca ($12) is a hearty delight featuring tender shredded beef scrambled with vegetables and eggs.
- Chilaquiles: Crispy fried tortillas tossed with flavorful salsa, crema, and cotija cheese — a breakfast staple.
- Carne Asada: Grilled to perfection, served with eggs, pico de gallo, and guacamole.
- Pozole: A fan favorite among many, this comforting soup is available in verde broth, promising rich flavors and a delightful texture.
Customer reviews consistently highlight the authenticity of the fare, with dishes like the Mole receiving particular praise for its depth of flavor. Diners rave about the Queso Fundido ($9), a must-try for cheese lovers, especially when enhanced with spicy chorizo.
One of the main attractions at El Comal North Park is its full bar, featuring an extensive selection of tequilas that elevates the dining experience to new heights. Whether you are winding down after a long day or celebrating a special occasion, the menu offers plenty of options to satisfy every palate, including unique cocktails like the Pomegranate Mojito.
As you explore the robust selection of tacos, tortas, and enchiladas, you will find that El Comal’s dedication to using fresh ingredients sets it apart. From the homemade tortillas to the vibrant salsas, every dish tells a story of tradition and respect for the culinary arts.
With glowing endorsements from customers who appreciate both the food and the service, it’s clear that El Comal North Park is more than just a restaurant; it’s a beloved community staple. Whether you’re a local or merely passing through San Diego, make it a point to stop by and indulge in the mouthwatering dishes prepared by passionate chefs who understand the heart of Mexican cuisine.
In conclusion, El Comal North Park offers a delightful blend of authentic flavors and warm hospitality that will leave you craving more. Your culinary adventure awaits—come and discover why this eatery is celebrated for its vibrant menu and inviting atmosphere!
The outside is very unassuming, but the inside is traditional, Mexican flavor. Bright vibrant colors, amazing wait staff, and lots of cool things to look at! We came here for brunch and had the huevos rancheros,, which was excellent. The beans and rice are true, and the salsas were perfect. Also The Mole is super rich And delicious and I believe the restaurant is associated with Puebla! MX !! They have a full bar, and no shortage of tequilas - El Comal is the most authentic Mexican restaurant I've been to here in San Diego. Will be back Buen Trabajo Mejor !
What better way to end a long stressful rainy day than with a steaming bowl of pozole! Phone call to pickup in maybe ten minutes. Huge serving of verde pozole with all the fixings. Delicious and I'll be back to try more. Ate it so fast I didn't have time for pictures lol
With so many choices in North Park, this one is a must! Event for breakfast and all of our selections were top notch. I had the chorizo, sister had the machaca and wife had the posole. The atmosphere is cozy and service was great. We highly recommend any our choices but my wife definitely says their posole rivals any she's ever had.
Food was pretty good! Our party didn't love the beans, but everything else was delicious. Our service was wonderful even though our server was very busy. The place itself was pretty crowded at dinner time so you definitely sit close to others.
Yeah, this place has the good stuff. It's not a gentrification hipster gastropub with $25, it's just the real deal. Servers smiling and looking like you're favorite auntie, everything on the menu is good. The posole was a homerun, to me. I had the red, but hear that the green is fantastic as well. Ambiance is... let's say classic. Sure, a bit dated, but did you really want them to double the prices and make it mid-century modern? No, me neither. Lovely option.
I was in San Diego this past weekend for my birthday and wasn't really sure where to go for dinner. Kind of ended up at this place at random. No other restaurants looked all that great and somehow we ended up here. Let me start with the negative first which isn't about the restaurant itself. This neighborhood is terrible for parking, has dim lighting and people don't like to stop for the stop signs. Be careful out there. Once you get past the neighborhood and the parking and actually get to the restaurant it's great. The service was top notch and the food was so good. Everything we tried was great. One thing that was a bit annoying was trying to figure out what to eat based off the Yelp photos. Many things you'll see pictured here do not exist at the restaurant anymore. I would definitely come back in the future if I was in the area.
Born and raised in San Diego and I've never been to El Comal! I made it my mission to change that quickly. I decided to check them out on a Saturday afternoon around 3/3:30pm for a very late lunch. The space was all ours! He he We choose our seat, and our waitress came over before long. We started off with the queso fundido and added chorizo. O M G. A must order for anyone who is able to eat dairy. You will not regret your decision. It comes with 3-4 large tortillas for scooping, dipping, taco style. However, whatever your preference. Let's take a moment to talk about the wonderful tortillas- I saw the masa delivery truck guy outside- La Estrellita. Yummy the masa was so good, and the tortillas on the thicker side. They are larger, so you know, have 1-2 if you're watching your waistline. Either way come prepare to refrain from goodness (delicious tortillas) or come prepare to let your guard down and eat as many as your heart desires! Drinks- ample selection given the size of the establishment. Good job with your selections. Food- I ordered one Taco Azteca (carne asada with nopales) and one Taco cochinita pibil (slow roasted pork). The Taco Azteca was a bit of a letdown. The cactus didn't add up, sum up, mesh well with the carne asada and the rest of the ingredients. The cactus was served on the colder side and so it made the carne asada room temp. Not cool Robert Frost, not cool. The Cochinita pibil taco was a totally different story. The story: delicious. Will order it again next time for sure. Also- had one of their pomegranate mojitos it was on the sweeter side, not strong enough but refreshing.
My Husband comes from three generations of a family run eatery. Serving outstanding Mexican food. He is very hard to impress, and compares all Mexican cuisine to his Grandmother's... Well he and I were very impressed tonight!!! Hubby said the pork tamales with red sauce was a close second to his... you guessed it... his Grandma's! LoL My chicken enchiladas were the very best I've ever eaten!!! The beans were perfect, and the rice nicely moist. I judge Mexican restaurants based on their rice... seriously! The staff were so accommodating and friendly. Just another reason why we will make this our regular go to place from here on out. If you enjoy flavorful food, you will NOT be disappointed here.
A very legit Latina coworker recommended her very legit Mexican friend's restaurant: El Comal. It's off the main streets of North Park, sneakily tucked away. Not much in ambience, but its clean, you're here for the food. The food is real Mexican, and real good! Most of the clientele seemed to be Latino. Service is a bit on the slower side, but good things come to those who wait! I've eaten here multiple times! $9 CORN FLAUTAS...Chicken or beef, 5 hot crispy rolled tacos topped with lettuce, guacamole, diced tomatoes, crema, cotija and guacamole, makes for a good appetizer too $65 PARRILLADA...Mexican BBQ? 2 Smoked tender pork chops, 2 grilled chicken breast, and 2 grilled juicy marinated steaks, accompanied with all the fixings, rice, beans, guacamole, pico de Gallo, and tortillas. Plenty for 2-3 people, maybe even 4 people if y'all are light eaters. $13.50 BISTEK RANCHERO BURRITO...juicy tender pieces of steak in its own unique marinade, with crema, cheese, avocado, rice and beans. Delicious! $21 MOLE CON POLLO An old traditional recipe, using the most complex of sauces from México, perfectly balanced and served over grilled chicken breast. The rich chocolatity sauce is divine and delicious, making Willy Wonka envious of its secrets.