El Canelo

There are two Mexican spots to eat in New Castle PA. El Canelo on Wilmington rd., and the place on 224 going to Poland OH. i've eaten at both several times each. El Canelo is just better. the other one is always packed. i'm guessing because it's nice and safe and tastes just like what your Mom who really isn't crazy about all that flavor would like. Hey, I get it! I grew up eating pirogies fried in butter and served with more butter and a big glop of sour cream. It's definitely a filling meal. and then there is El Canelo, i had been just getting to go. they had some good street tacos (only took 40 years, but i get to eat street tacos in the Midwest!) and they cook the most tender (tenderest?) pork i've ever had anywhere. in fact, if you like carnitas on a taco, in a burrito, as part of an adobo, this is it. El Canelo has better carnitas than any other joint and that includes the new place in Boardman! (look it up) Wife got the chimichanga. which she gets literally every single time at every single amex Resaurant we've been too. This time, i tried hers. shredded beef and chicken in the other one. It was thoroughly enjoyable. seriously so. she had one of my soft (not flour tortilla, CORN heated on the flat grill, like was intended!) tacos. AL PASTOR TACOS that i finished. and THAT is the upshot. we both finished our meals completely. even the refritos (refrigerated fritos, look it up) for the first time pretty much ever. i can't remember the last time either of us didn't haul home a styrofoam container full of shredded lettuce and beans and guacamole, just so i could throw it out two days later. now, just one thing, they use some spice in the salsa and guacamole here. the mild salsa is great! the guacamole is great too, but probably spiced up past what you ever tasted in guacamole. the interior is just fine. the food is killer, and the salsa is really great, or really hot. depending on what you get. the pics. sorry, i usually do a better job. but i was hungry. and the wife's chimichangas, bet it's the first time you saw chimis that weren't the size of a large stuffed cabbage. these chimichangas were great. the seasoned beef and the chicken was just so darn goood!

Based on other reviews I had high hopes that I would finally find good Mexican food in PA. Sadly it was not to be. The enhiladas were made with some sort of mexican flavored beige gravy, not enchilada sauce. Not visually appealing and not good tasting, I know CA Mexican has got me spoiled, but I make enchilada sauce at home, it's really not that hard. And the mushrooms they put on top were terrible- tasted like bitter dirt, mushrooms do not go with Mexican food, what a horrible idea.My husband's burrito was ok and the chips and salsa were pretty good. But if you can't make an enchilada, I'm done.Update* My husband has been having bad gut issues all day today, so the burrito was NOT ok.

Best Mexican food I've ever had. Pittsburgh where I live does not have any Mexican places like this. Service is very quick and efficient, you can't beat the prices, and the authentic taste of real Mexican food is second to none. My go to is the chicken fajitas!!

The decor consists of tables laminated with local businesses business cards. The walls are fake brick.With that said, I wasn't expecting much so I was pleasantly surprised to see shrimp, crab and lobster on the menu.Chips and a mild salsa arrived as I was seated. The menu lacks a house salad so I ordered a taco salad with intentions of only eating a portion. Iceberg lettuce with ground meat smothered in a white cheese sauce ... it was described as dinner size ... not ... and it didn't have salsa or guac... I did not enjoy it.I was curious about the lobster options. I ordered the lobster fajitas. Langstino lobsters were plentiful and well seasoned. It's obvious that fresh ingredients were used ... but the guac was pureed thin and very bland.The waiter was very attentive.For a community with few Mexican options, it was ok. Coming from restaurant options including various spice levels and thick chunky guac ... it didn't meet my needs.

I get takeout now, and love Mexican food, so highly recommend this restaurant. You can call ahead, but it doesn't take long to prepare an order of nachos, chicken and cheese, so just drive up to the takeout window, and get your order in about ten minutes. Yum!

I cannot leave zero stars. So El Canelo receives one star.1) Tamales are pork, not beef. They should not be a wad of masa with shredded skirt steak in the center.2) Chile con carne sauce should be dark red and more chile than carne. The beef used was greasy and the sauce nearly water. I've had more kick from a can of Hormel tamales and, believe it or not, those tasted better..3) Refried beans should not have an identifiable bean anywhere in them. They also should not be runny. If you want to make borracho beans, then do so. This was some unhappy marriage between the two. Again, this and watery.4) Rice should not come from a mix. Nor should rice be crunchy.5) An adult lime slushie is the correct description because that was nothing like a margarita.6) Tacos were ordered hard shell but came out waterlogged and tasteless.7) Ketchup is more flavorful than the salsa and the chips were greasy.8) The only positive was that the 2 soft drinks ordered were the right size and the right drink.The Two State Rule has been confirmed beyond a reasonable doubt. Beware Montezuma and his revenge.

Never a bad meal here. Great pricing. Friendly staff. Excellent margaritas. Decent beer selection. 13/10

I drive half an hour to come here and I have never said it wasn't worth it. I love this place. I think their food is amazing, portions are always perfect and you will most likely get to leave with leftovers. Very nice people working here and the drive thru pickup window is so convenient. Love it!

Great atmosphere Food is delicious Service is amazing People are very friendly Pricey are comparable to most Mexican restaurants

Went to westminny so taco tuesday was always a treat for us. the beef tacos are fire. the service was always great and the family is super cool and work unbelievably hard from what i can tell. great establishment!