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El Chorlito Mexican Eatery

2.9 (609 reviews)
ModerateMexican
Open • 11:30 am - 9:30 pm

El Chorlito Mexican Eatery Photos

EL CHORLITO MEXICAN EATERY ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Dogs allowed
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - El Chorlito Mexican Eatery

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Michelle A.

A busy weekend at the central coast brought us to this cute and quiet little spot. The food was good I loved my Chili Relleno and my husband enjoyed his Chike Colorado plate. Large portion sizes too. The burrito and nachos were huge!

Lemon ice cream with raspberries
Kristin Q.

We dropped by for drinks and a light bite to end my husband's birthday trip since it was walking distance from our hotel. When we entered the restaurant, we were greeted with a friendly smile and given the option to sit anywhere. The building and decor are a tad bit weathered and aging, but anywhere you sat had such a stunning view of the ocean. We started off with chips and salsa, a margarita, Mexican Coke bottle, chicken enchilada, and carnitas taco. Although we were eating light, we were continuously checked up on throughout the evening, asking if the food was to our liking and refilling any drinks. My husband continued with a Sea Breeze drink which was his favorite for the night. Although it was a small meal, it was still flavorful and satisfying! We ended our time there with the lemon ice cream with raspberries and wow, what a treat! What a wonderful way to end our trip! Special thanks to Derek and Rogelio for being so kind, friendly, and hospitable throughout our meal. You are the true stars are El Chorlito and we cannot wait to drop by again in the future!

We have been coming here for many, many years! Today was the worst. I had an enchilada and the sauce was a bit salty and tasted like Molé. When we got the bill they had automatically added an 18% gratuity. A $72 bill was now $94. When we questioned the serve/owner she said she had to pay her staff. While unbeknownst to her, we would've tipped more than 18%. The staff were attentive and nice. We wouldn't be coming back here anymore. We will patronize the other restaurants in this area.

The mole sauce on the Dos Combination is amazing! And talk about crispy taco!
Cindy P.

We had the place to ourselves for our early dinner and I have no idea why! The place is fantastic from the food to the views and everything in between! We were greeted right away with a genuine smile and welcome, sat outside on a gorgeous afternoon and were immediately offered drinks. The Skinny Margarita's were perfect, light and refreshing without all the sweetness! We ordered the Taquito's appetizer and they came out quickly, hot, super crispy and loaded with tender beef. Our two combination plates came out shortly after and were piping hot. I've never had such thick, rich enchilada sauce, packed with flavor and absolutely delicious! The crispy taco was fried fresh to order and oh so crispy, chocked full of the most tender pork. I got too full too fast so had to take the delicious rice home for later! Definitely a 5 star experience all around!

Hearst Zebra
Robert M.

We had lunch together on a Thursday. It seemed like a slow day, and we were seated with a great view. We ordered a chicken taco salad and a cheese enchilada. Both dishes had nice portions and were tasty. The decor was nice, and the service was excellent.

Let's check this place out...
Sarah D.

We tried this place out for dinner. It was a little pricey but pretty good... I ordered the enchilada plate... I thought it would come with two enchiladas but it only came with one. It was delicious and also came with rice and beans... the hubby ordered an asada burrito... this burrito came with a red sauce that he just cannot stop talking about. This burrito was huge! We ordered a chicken tenders plate for our son it came with 5 chicken tenders and some French fries... he loved it! For a drink I had a Margarita... it was very strong but isn't that a good thing? When it was time to pay. Overall it was a good experience

Corn chips
Daisy D.

The food was absolutely delicious--this is the best Mexican restaurant I've ever been to! I ordered the seafood combo for two, a beef burrito, and a soft taco, all served with generous sides like rice, soup, and beans. The portions were large and the prices very reasonable. Our waiter was friendly and attentive. This is a fantastic restaurant, and we'll definitely return the next time we visit San Simeon.

beautiful location but SO EXPENSIVE. a burrito, coke, and scoop of guac and sour cream came out to $33, minus tip. it wasn't even good enough to warrant that price. guac was not good.

Coffee ($3.75)
Darrell P.

El Chorlito Mexican Eatery was just okay, nothing outstanding. Signage - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ&select=OuVDf9CaTHuUotcCHN5ubw Our order: Uno Combo Plate - Enchilada w/pork; chile relleno ($24.50) Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ&select=xAyMAWKVhtFbJY0r5OzW5A Coffee x2 ($7.50) Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ&select=gkxIMzq2hzhAqobH48HRTw Total: $35 (+tip) It was a Thursday afternoon; AR & I had an hour and a half before our scheduled tour of Hearst Castle. We stopped by El Chorlito Mexican Eatery because it simply was there - and convenient. I ordered the pork enchilada and chile relleno combo for us to share since neither of us were very hungry. The presentation was nice, and the portion size, generous, but unfortunately, the taste didn't quite hit the mark for me. The pork enchilada itself was decent - tender pork with a decent cheese filling but the sauce was noticeably too salty, which really threw off the balance of flavors. The saltiness was distracting and made it hard to enjoy the dish as a whole. Pork enchilada detail - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ&select=bFE94YHfdn-zlPIBrpw9lw The chile relleno had a good texture, with a nicely fried exterior and a mild filling, but it also suffered a bit from the overpowering sauce. Chile relleno detail - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ&select=Gm-FVVY9ISAZRJevcuSgGQ However, the chips and salsa were good! Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ&select=5x5BrrcgaHpSEbSNm0gvtQ Service was friendly and the atmosphere casual and comfortable, making it a decent spot for a quick meal. However, with the sauce being too salty, the overall experience felt just average. El Chorlito Mexican Eatery presently has a three star rating and it's right on the money. If you're craving Mexican food and happen to be nearby, it's worth a shot but don't expect anything spectacular. As I've said in another yelp*view; like many spots in small tourist towns, the prices here felt a bit inflated for what you actually get. You're not paying for culinary creativity or memorable flavors - you're paying for proximity to your hotel and the ocean. It's the kind of place where convenience trumps everything else. Manage your expectations, enjoy the view, and know that you're mostly paying for convenience. After all, you're in San Simeon, where your choice of restaurants are limited. - Big Aloha! Overall rating: 3 Stars Food: 3 Service: 4 Ambiance: 3 Value: 3

Driving down from Monterey Bay and stopped bc we were starving. Food was out so incredibly quickly and tasted AMAZING. I cannot stress how great the shredded beef is. Ambiance was amazing and the service was great too. I would definitely recommend this to anyone in the area looking for great Mexican food.

Dog friendly!  Sid loved his a la carte plain Grilled Chicken Breast!
Lynnann W.

People these days are apparently difficult to please? My husband and I were here in 2015 and thought it was great. Now 2024, I was very grateful I and my sidekick pup could visit again. It's even nicer. Sat at the gorgeous outdoor patio and enjoyed a lovely meal and a glass of wine listening to waves crash along the coast. What's not to love?!? Solid pollo fajitas. Overall, it was a very enjoyable afternoon!

Karen r.

Really surprised by the mixed reviews, we loved this place. The ambiance is warm and friendly, casual and relaxed, and our server was lovely. The views are gorgeous! The food is not super fancy but it all tastes great. Especially dessert!! I would recommend this place, especially because they're not a lot of other Mexican restaurants in the vicinity.

Menu
Alexis N.

This was a beautiful spot for a lunch after a Hearst Castle visit. The food was delicious and the service was very friendly. We came on a warm day and enjoyed the sun on the patio. The tilapia and kids enchiladas were the best enjoyed meals at our table!

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4 months ago

wine margaritas. okay service. got nachos that weren't too hot. beautiful succulents in their garden. walking distance so so-so.

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1 year ago

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2 months ago

Been coming for years and still love it. The service is great, location perfect and newexico enchiladas delish. Appreciate this place always

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3 months ago

The food was not good, and then I was up all night on the bathroom. Had the chili relleno and beans. I won't be back.

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1 year ago

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8 months ago

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2 months ago

we had a great experienc. the food was fantastic and the portions were huge! our waiter was very attentiv. we will be back for sure!

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El Chorlito Mexican Eatery Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - El Chorlito Mexican Eatery

Is this a dog friendly restaurant?

It is dog friendly on the patio. It can get a bit chilly in the evenings year-round, so be prepared. The patio is in a nice garden setting and is perfect for a nice meal with your pet.

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Medusa's

Medusa's

4.0
(386 reviews)
4.2 mi
•$

Reviews for the butternut squash enchiladas intrigued us. My vegetarian daughter reported that they…read moreare "good, not great": the squash could be of better quality and the green sauce was unwelcome since she cannot have peppers. (I scraped the sauce onto my plate and enjoyed it.) I asked for a kids meal burrito made chimichanga style and they produced! It had the beans, rice & cheese elements of the burrito and the crispy chimi shell. Unfortunately it came dry, no sour cream guac or even sauce on the side. Inside, the carnitas was too salty, but the beans and cheese were good. I added one star for the singing cook we could hear in the back. I like eating where people like to work.

First, no greeting by the lady who took our order. Quite frankly, she was not polite at all…read more Second, and probably most important, the food was sub par to say the least. Wifey order the menudo. The lady said they had run out of hominy. The tripe had not been cleaned properly and the soup had a layer of grease floating on top. She said it was gross. I had chile verde and eggs. Very little meat and the green chile was salty, but otherwise flavorless. Homemade corn tortillas were Ok, but looked machine made. Also, if u don't speak Spanish u may be out of luck. I do, but when my wife would ask a question in English, the lady replied in Spanish..... $58. for2 meals later, we ran from this place. Only bad meal we've had in Cambria

Photos
Inside seating
Inside seating
Plate with chicken tamale and chile relleno with diced asada on top
Plate with chicken tamale and chile relleno with diced asada on top
The current pricing board (8/24) behind the counter

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The current pricing board (8/24) behind the counter
Big Sur Restaurant

Big Sur Restaurant

3.6
(398 reviews)
0.1 mi
•$$

This was the only restaurant opens till 10 pm. Decided to drive from Cambria to Big Sur for late…read moredinner. It was a an average American restaurant. Seated for 5 and ordered from their menu. The clam chowder was delicious but too much potatoes than clams. The Seafood Alfredo pasta was very good. The seafood shrimp scallop calamari was very tasty fresh and good sized amount. The sauce was very creamy. The tri tip was dry and well done. Kinda tough to bite. The combo bbq the pork ribs were juicy. The green salad was very ordinary I've beth lettuce with carrots. The fried calamari with French fries were pretty good. The attendant was so nice.

While staying in the hotel their not too much option to eat for dinner unless you wants to drive in…read moredark for 20 minutes so we end up eating here some of the mixed reviews we seen but we still decided to eat. Dinner menu prices are kind of expensive. But the meal is big enough. Staff aren't welcoming the guests. Service charges was 15% added automatically but don't see mention anywhere but that's make sense because most of their customers are Indian while we were there. I also work in the restaurant industry for last 9 years and very few Indians give tip. I was assuming that's why they added the tip with every check even though you are party of 2. I seen customers are mentioned in other reviews as well. One of the middle table is very wobbly.

Photos
Inside
Inside
Huevos Rancheros
Huevos Rancheros
Patio area

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Patio area
Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill

Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill

3.8
(2.3k reviews)
2.8 mi
•$$

Moonstone was recommended by a friend who lives out here in Cambria. We ordered the rib eye medium…read morerare, spicy tequila cream chicken pasta, cioppino, oysters on a half shell, and calamari frito. I do not eat seafood, therefore this review is based off of my group. My husband enjoyed the oysters stating they were fresh and sweet. My daughter loved the calamari. I was quite underwhelmed with the spicy tequila cream chicken pasta. I was told that the dish was very spicy. To me, there was barely a hint of heat to it. The flavors was lacking. I feel as if the sliced onions should be left out. Our friend ordered the cioppino and mentioned the same thing, the sliced onions made the dish taste a little off but otherwise delicious. The kids fusilli with Parmesan was ok. It was basically tossed in butter and she can add her own Parmesan. The rib eye came out medium well. We thought that maybe it was just the ends that were a bit more cooked, however, almost the entire steak was medium well. The only part that we didn't eat was looked to be medium. Although the steak was not cooked to our preferred temperature, it was very flavorful and tender. And we sure were hungry after a day of exploring. We ate nearly the entire plate. I didn't want to mention anything since we ate 90% of the plate, but our friend convinced us to bring it up to the server. And so I did, not wanting to anything to be done about it. We did nearly finish it. We also did not want to wait longer for the steak to be re-made. I paid for my tab and it was well under what I had expected the total to be. I scanned through the itemized receipt and realized that they took off the steak. I felt ashamed for even bringing it up since we basically ate it all. The cocktails were great. Not too watered down or too heavy with alcohol. The restaurant has an amazing view overlooking the Pacific Ocean and offers outdoor seating. The service is quick and everyone was very friendly. Will I came again? For sure. Just not for pasta.

Sunset at Moonstone beach ended at the Moonstone Bar and grill restaurant. Situated in front of the…read morePacific Ocean. Beautiful view of the sunset . Ate dinner with the family and well presented with their menu. Monique was our server and she was fantastic. Grouped of 10 so we had lots of entree . The oyster bar was fresh The rib eye steak was cooked to perfection. The all time favorite clam chowder in a sourdough bread was so tasty and oceanic flavor. The shrimp salad was crispy and tangy. The steamers of clams was divine . The wine broth was soothing. The salmon shrimp crab cake was good. The fish and carne asada tacos . were delicious Dessert we opted to molten lava cake. Erupted with sweetness. Overall, fantastic night.

Photos
Cioppinot
Cioppinot
Grilled Mahi
Grilled Mahi
Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill

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Manta Rey Restaurant

Manta Rey Restaurant

3.7
(377 reviews)
0.1 mi
•$$

Don't be fooled by the roadside location and beachside vibe…read more The food is fantastic! The sea bass was incredible, perfect, and even the sides were perfectly prepared. How perfect? I hate broccoli, and I liked this broccoli. And the shrimp Alfredo was amazing. The shrimp prefect, and the taste a step above. Check it out, you won't be disappointed.

Food was so good, way better than expected especially considering this is a small town!…read more Stopped by San Simeon with the folks for a one-nighter in preparation for a visit to Hearst Castle the next day. The dinner options I presented was either Manta Rey or Moonstone Grill and we decided to stay local. For the 3 of us we ordered 1 clam chowder (to try out), dad ordered the New York, I got the filet mignon and mom ordered the salmon. Everyone was exceptionally pleased with the food! You can tell the chef prepared everything carefully and paid attention to presentation. The complimentary sourdough dinner rolls were also served hot which was a nice touch. Overall portions are not overwhelming and a good size. Pricing is as expected for the type of food and location. As many other Yelpers already mentioned there was only one server manning the entire restaurant. He was extremely polite and attentive given that he waited every single table, bussed, hosted, and managed the take out orders. Expect dining time to be a little longer during rush hour but it's not terrible and the food is worth it!

Photos
Manta Rey Restaurant
Ahi tuna dinner
Ahi tuna dinner
Clam chowder in the bread bowl with the bay shrimp add-on

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Clam chowder in the bread bowl with the bay shrimp add-on

El Chorlito Mexican Eatery - mexican - Updated June 2026

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