El Cerrito Mexican Grill & Cantina

I normally don't post things like this, and I have been going to this restaurant - both locations for years. But last night was off. We arrived at 8:30 pm, it was a Friday, so assumed (which I shouldnt have oviously) they would be open until at least 10 or 11. Yes, my mistake at not looking online for their hours, but there was not any posted either. Anyway, we were sat, order taken and drinks ordered.Our waiter was great as usual, but at no time did ANYONE say they were closing in 30 min. One, we wouldn't have chosen to get cocktails (not too safe to drive that soon after a huge margarita!). Two, as in most restaurant environments if you are there before a certain time of closing, you would be served and NOT experience what we did. As soon as our food was placed down, the waiter came by and said he would be leaving and wanted to close out our ticket. Umm okay, so we paid. But again, nothing being said with, "we are closing in 15 minutes." Our drinks were full and our plates had just arrived. So we eat, and idle chit chat, and we start to see them putting chairs up to mop, our waiter disappeared and a female came around and started picking up miscellaneous things off our table. But we just ignored it, nothing was said. Then she returns as we are still eating our food and says, "we closed at 9, you're going to have to go." Wait, whaaattt? I've owned a restaurant and worked in many...and NEVER have I heard this. It is standard in a restaurant to inform customers if you are closing certain portions of the restaurant to go around and inform ppl of last call or that the kitchen is shutting down, and would you like anything else. We asked for boxes, and left. I will return, we like the place, but obviously at different hours. But just felt the ownership and management should be aware of how this one particular staffer (the female) handled herself. In this economy, my family eats out as a treat. So to spend that type of money and to be rushed out the door is inconsiderate. I guarantee the kitchen was not done with cleaning and breaking down things for the night. It would be different if I didn't know these things maybe, but just found it unusual and wrong.

Came on a Sunday for their brunch with mimosas. Super busy. We were seated near the back where they had a long aisle with booths. We had a party of 6 and these booths were at most good for 4 adults or 2 adults and a few kids. It was made even more claustrophobic when they seated a very large group in about 5 of the booths that surrounded us, but they were a party that was celebrating all together, so definitely not ideal to seat them in separate booths. It got noisy, crowded, and chaotic pretty quickly. Since eating from a buffet requires getting up yourself to retrieve food multiple times, the amount of people that were stuffed into these booths, was cumbersome. I eventually just stopped getting up to go get more food even though I wanted to because it was an obstacle course. This also meant that the waiter that was helping us with drinks and mimosas, was delayed and more than once forgot if we ordered something from him because we were surrounded by people that did not stay in their booths, they kept co-mingling and hovering in the aisle.Onto the food, I would say that the buffet was OK. Nothing stood out as super delicious or flavorful. I tried the enchiladas, rice, beans, birria taco, and carne with vegetables. The birria taco looked enticing, but the flavor was not good. Everything else was OK. I think this is a good place for a smaller group that wants the value of a buffet. But don't expect amazing flavor or attentive service. Also, very, very noisy in a distracting way.

This place has amazing service with friendly staff always ready to greet you. On a Saturday nighti was pleasantly surprised that there was no wait. The food was excellent as usual. This is my first time writing a review but not my first time dining here. I usually order the shrimp fajitas but tonight opted for the carne asada and man it was packed with flavor!!! The place has cute decor and adorable light fixtures throughout. There was a decent sized bar area if you wanted to watch the Dodger game, which was on tonight, and plenty of seating.

I have been wanting to try a new mexican restaurant and heard many wonderful things about this location and decided to try it. First impression was great the decor is beautiful the murals on the wall of iconic mexican artists and culture is awesome. My party and i were sat promptly staff was extremely nice and attentive. The food and drinks arrived in great time. The food was delicious great authentic flavors loved their salsa it had a great kick. The birria burrito was really good a little to salty but it good. The California fries were hefty had plenty of meat and cheesy. My friend ordered the caldo de camaron and it was extremely salty so she had to return it. The mojarra was big but a little over cooked but still tasty. Overall it was great i would come back and give it another chance.Tip: pay cash they charge $5 dollars to use debit card

Jocylyn was great. Had nice recommendations. Fast, efficient service. Food was plentiful and flavorful.

The food & service are excellent. Just had molcajete, OMG absolutely delicious and big enough to share.

I was craving Mexican food, so this is the spot where my family likes to go. This place has such a welcoming atmosphere for families and for a simple date night. My family and I went on Sunday around lunch time, so it was pretty busy because they also had their lunch buffet going on. My parents ordered their usual, one item combo that comes with beans and rice. They usually order the chile relleño and enchilada. I decided to try something different. I ordered Tampiqueña Enmolada, carne asada topped with mole cheese enchilada. The carne asada was delicious and flavorful, but when I got to eating it together, something was a little too salty for me. It turned out to be the mole sauce because I've had their enchilada before and that's something I love ordering here. The service is great here. The servers are very helpful, always checking up on you. Knowledgeable with the menu and are good with the chips and salsa refills lol. Definitely recommend this place.

I gotta say there is a male bartender that is supposed to take care of the tables near the bar and he literally saw us walk in and went to the back, helped and served other tables. Another customer walked in after us and sat at the bar and we hadn't received menus or anything for ar least ten minutes and as soon as she sat down she was asked what did she want to drink. I glanced over to the lady behind the bar like really, what about us? We have been waiting. To be honest I should have taken it as a sign. You have to ask for the happy hour menu because they don't just automatically bring it out. Not a great experience and the fact the door is open in this heat and the AC is not on. I was just not happy about this visit and I know that bartender is very reluctant to help us every time. Twice before it was a struggle to get him to attend to my girlfriend and I. Don't get me wrong the lady that did help us was nice enough but I definitely feel like I should take my business elsewhere and I definitely will!

My friend and I were supposed to go to Coco's and I wasn't feeling it and as we were getting ready to leave I told her, hey let's try this little Mexican place!Our server was Laura and she was so sweet and attentive. The bus people were also on top of their game as well.My friend got the shrimp plate which she said was AMAZING, and I ate light and ordered a shredded beef taco and rice. The food was delicious and we will be back. Also, I judge Mexican restaurants by their chips and salsa. If the chips are served cold it's a turn off for me. The chips were hot and the salsa was delicious. Thank you El Cerrito!

Everyone got their food except me 20 minutes after .. I got a plain plate and mines took the longest .. I told the waiter I'll just cancel since everyone is already almost done and he just walks away . EXTREMELY RUDE , first and last time here