El Coronel Mexican Restaurant

1015 Gravenstein Hwy S, Sebastopol, CA 95472, United States
$$$ Mexican restaurant
(543 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

If you find yourself meandering through the picturesque town of Sebastopol, California, be sure to visit El Coronel Mexican Restaurant, a local gem that brings the rich and vibrant flavors of Mexico right to your plate. Nestled at 1015 Gravenstein Hwy S, this cherished eatery has been delighting patrons since its inception in 2002. With a commitment to authentic cuisine and a welcoming atmosphere, El Coronel offers a dining experience that feels remarkably like a cherished family gathering.

Step inside and you'll be greeted by a warm ambiance adorned with colorful decorations that reflect the lively spirit of Mexico. The sounds of sizzling fajitas and laughter blend seamlessly, creating an inviting space where families and friends can come together, much like the restaurant's very own ethos. El Coronel is especially accommodating for pet lovers, boasting a beautiful patio where you can enjoy your meal alongside your furry companions.

The menu is a delightful exploration of traditional Mexican fare, with standout dishes that encapsulate the essence of the cuisine. Start your culinary journey with the Chicken Fajitas, where perfectly grilled strips of chicken rest atop a bed of sautéed onions, garlic, and bell peppers, all served on a sizzling skillet that's a feast for the eyes as much as for the palate, priced at just $17.75. For a robust vegetarian option, try the Portobello Fajitas, featuring marinated and grilled portobello mushrooms intertwined with onions, garlic, and colorful bell peppers, drenched in chardonnay wine — a melody of flavors that embrace you with every bite.

The Combinations section of the menu offers an array of favorites like the classic Enchilada, stuffed with your choice of shredded chicken or ground beef and topped with the signature enchilada sauce and melting Monterey Jack cheese. Pair that with a crispy Chile Relleno, and you have the makings of a delightful feast. For a casual quick bite, indulge in their tacos, whether crispy or soft, perfectly encapsulating the essence of home-cooked Mexican comfort food.

Drink options are plentiful, with an array of refreshing non-alcoholic beverages including Sangria and Mexican Coke, along with traditional Aguas Frescas like Horchata and Jamaica. Each sip is a taste of Mexican culture, complementing the flavors of your meal beautifully.

Patrons rave about El Coronel’s inviting service and the sense of community fostered within its walls. As one customer notes, "The servers are very friendly, professional, and it feels like they love what they do." This sentiment is echoed by many, showcasing a place where people truly are treated like family. Many guests, like Ruth Diaz, attest to the excellence of the food, with recommendations flying for the fajita quesadilla that has customers coming back for more.

Don’t just take our word for it; multiple reviews highlight the delectable ceviche, saying it's "the very best in California," alongside margaritas that pack a punch of tequila flavor, keeping it authentic rather than overly sweet. El Coronel is not just a restaurant; it's a destination for memorable meals and heartfelt memories.

So whether you're a local or just passing through, El Coronel Mexican Restaurant is a must-visit. Dive into a world of flavor, community, and warmth that will make your heart—and palate—sing.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers kerbside pickup
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Good for watching sport
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves happy-hour food
Serves healthy options
Serves organic dishes
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts cheques
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

543 Reviews
Guinea Wrangler

21 Sep 2025

The menu and food are excellent with full sized servings. The dining room and pet friendly patio are beautiful and both very comfortable. The servers are very friendly, professional, and it feels like they love what they do. This is a "family" that welcomes you like family into their home.

Carolyn Backer

13 Sep 2025

The service was great in this old school Mexican eatery. Portions were large and delicious, typical of most restaurants in this genre. The margs were yummy, actually tasted some tequila, wasn't all sugar and lime.

Jamie Rubadeau

03 Sep 2025

This place is always one of my go to places in Sebastopol. They have great food and the service is always fast and the staff is super friendly. The canterito is my favorite drink in all of sonoma county but thier standard margaritas are great as well.

Connie Harper

30 Aug 2025

As a traveler from Santa Barbara, I have enjoyed some very good Mexican food. So, I was looking for some very authentic Mexican food, similar to my Latino roots. Well, I found it here at El Coronel I felt like I was taken back in time to my grandparents house and the scent of Mexican food. The service was excellent, again the food was delicious and the restaurant itself is so bright and decorated with true Latino influence. I highly recommend stopping here if you're in Sebastopol

Kathleen Hickey

23 Aug 2025

The best! The ceviche is the very best in California! The meal experience is just that. A delicious journey of flavors that will have your taste buds jumping for joy. Impeccable service, enjoyable atmosphere, a must go to whenever we travel and visit Sonoma County.

Afshin Afshar-Ghasemlou

04 Jul 2025

A Delicious Detour in Sebastopol While on a day trip north of San Francisco, we took a detour into Sebastopol for lunch. El Coronel was right there, and it looked like a good option because we had our little puppy with us. It was a beautiful afternoon, and they had outdoor seating available. El Coronel Mexican Restaurant was founded by Armando Coronel in 2002 and has been part of Sebastopol's culinary scene since then. It has been a family-run operation for over two decades and serves tasty Mexican cuisine. El Coronel is known for its sizzling fajitas, delicious combinations, flavorful tacos, and burritos. They have a beautiful patio with a complete outdoor bar. The interior is beautifully designed and looks comfortable for individuals and both small and large groups. We started with an order of Guacamole, their House Margarita, and Hibiscus Tea. The Guacamole was freshly made, and there was plenty of it! We enjoyed the combination of fresh guacamole and chips. The drinks were good, too. We decided to share a Parrillada (which means grilled in English) for the main dish. There was plenty of food. The meats (beef, pork, and chicken) were all fresh, well-cooked, and flavorful. It came with a plate of rice, beans, guacamole, sour cream, and fresh tortillas. I could not leave without trying their flan and was very happy I didn't! It was one of the better flans I have had in a while. The staff was very attentive and friendly. A gentleman, who may have been the owner or manager, stopped by our table and asked how we were doing. He was very friendly and welcoming. We enjoyed our experience, and as we left, I made a mental note to come back and try their Molcajete! It looked very good!

Ruth Diaz

26 Jun 2025

The food and drinks were absolutely amazing and so delicious!!! I ordered the fajita quesadilla!!! I highly recommend! Will be coming back here again in the near future.

Sacha O

13 Jun 2025

The service was great but the food was only so so. We had Chili Verde and a combo plate with a Chile relleno and a sope. That base of the sope was tough and rubbery, I didn’t eat it all. The food was good enough, but not great. It want beer flavorful. The atmosphere was lovely and the service was great. Maybe we just didn’t order well. Also $9 for a bottle of Negó Modelo seems steep. The menu said it was on draft, but it was just a 12oz bottle.

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