El Sombrero — Restaurant in Mississauga

My co-worker would often order take-away from El Sombrero and bring it to the office for everyone to share. I ended up loving their food and couldn't wait to eat again with another colleague. Unfortunately, I had a really bad experience when I went in to eat at this restaurant.

My friend ordered for us and paid. We asked and got one extra plate, got the food and sat down. This whole interaction happened while both of us had our masks on. The two main courses we ordered were filling up our plates entirely. I wanted to be able to eat both the different items we purchased together so I went to get another plate.

I had removed my mask now as we were about to eat and drink. I politely asked the server for an extra plate and she refused to give it to me. Keep in mind these are paper plates due to the Coronavirus restrictions. I thought she was joking and asked again to make sure she heard me. She refused to give us a plate and said that she already gave us an extra plate. I told her I wanted a plate for myself too, as my friend was using the extra plate. I called out to my friend as I couldn't believe that they said no.

My friend got involved and requested an extra plate. She offered to pay them extra money for the plate. They continued to be extremely rude to us and talked to us with loud voices. These two older women were yelling at us. The one with the glasses was extremely rude and speaking the loudest, while the other was a bit quieter but still refused to give us the plate. They asked us what we were going to do with so many plates. Keep in mind that my friend only got one extra plate so I am not sure what she was talking about. It was almost like their attitude towards us changed once my friend paid for the food and we removed our masks. I am sure if we were caucasian, they would not be speaking to us like that.

Eventually, the older lady not wearing the glasses threw a plastic plate in our direction. I noticed that an older man appeared and was speaking to them after the incident with us. They were speaking about us very loudly and eventually talked about it in their own language. It was OBVIOUS what they were talking about. Even when we sat back down on our table, the ladies kept saying "you don't even have enough space on your table for those plates. What are you going to do with them?". Just for their knowledge, we did have enough space on the tables. We also had the tray that they gave as well so I am unsure what they were speaking about.

Later on, we had to unfortunately order something else for a co-worker before leaving. We spoke to the older gentleman about the incident that occurred. He lied and told us that he witnessed it happening and that they were not rude or yelling. The store only had us two and the two serving ladies at the time so it is impossible that he witnessed it. Later on, he corrected himself and said that the two ladies told him what happened. Obviously they are going to paint themselves in a positive way when recanting the story.

I am definitely not coming back to this restaurant again. I cannot believe the ordeal we had to go through for an extra plate. This place does not care about customer service. We did not ask for anything unreasonable - just for an extra PAPER plate. Regardless, it doesn't mean you can yell at your customers, belittle them and talk about them in another language while laughing. It is so obvious that the older ladies were talking about us.

Bottom line: IF YOU WANT GOOD SERVICE, DO...

During my visit to El Sombrero, an authentic Mexican restaurant, I had a mixed experience that left me with mixed opinions. While the food was good, it didn't quite reach the level of greatness I was hoping for. We decided to try a variety of dishes, including the veg and chicken enchiladas, a burrito bowl, and a soft taco.

The flavors of the enchiladas were decent, but they didn't have that wow factor that sets them apart from other Mexican restaurants. The fillings lacked a bit of depth i was hoping for, and the accompanying sauces didn't add much excitement to the dish. The burrito bowl, while flavorful, lacked a generous portion of meat and was a bit heavy on the rice and beans, leaving me craving more balance. The soft taco was enjoyable, but again, it didn't stand out as something exceptional.

One aspect that I found disappointing was the pricing. El Sombrero leans towards the higher end in terms of cost, and while I understand that authentic cuisine can come with a higher price tag, I expected a bit more value for the money. Some of the portions felt a bit small for the price, leaving me wanting more bang for my buck.

Another minor inconvenience was the lack of complimentary water. It seems unusual that a restaurant wouldn't provide water as a basic necessity, especially considering the spicy nature of Mexican cuisine. Instead, we were forced to purchase bottled beverages, which added to the overall expense of the meal.

One area that stood out as needing improvement was the cleanliness of the utensils. While they were not dirty to the point of being unusable, they could have been better maintained. It's important for a restaurant to prioritize cleanliness and ensure that all utensils are spotless to provide a pleasant dining experience.

Despite these shortcomings, there were some positives worth mentioning. The restaurant had a pleasant ambiance with a vibrant and lively atmosphere. The service was friendly and attentive, and the staff was knowledgeable about the menu, offering helpful recommendations. The presentation of the dishes was visually appealing, and the ingredients seemed fresh and of good quality.

In conclusion, El Sombrero is a decent Mexican restaurant with some room for improvement. While the food was enjoyable, it didn't reach the level of excellence that I was hoping for. The pricing could be more reasonable, especially considering the portion sizes, and the lack of complimentary water was a letdown. Improving the cleanliness of utensils would also enhance the overall dining experience. However, the restaurant does offer a pleasant ambiance, friendly service, and fresh ingredients. With some adjustments, El Sombrero has the potential to elevate its culinary offerings and provide an even more satisfying...

My latest visit to El Sombrero was a stark departure from the warm and welcoming experiences I remember. What used to be a friendly local spot has, regrettably, transformed into a place where confusion and discourtesy seem to be on the menu.

Upon ordering, the staff didn't inquire about our preferences for the burritos, limiting questions to the type of meat we wanted before presumptuously adding every available topping. When we expressed our desire for customization, the response was not an apology for the misunderstanding but a reprimand for supposedly wasting food. This unsolicited critique was not only inappropriate but also unwelcoming.

The confusion was further amplified by the chaotic service method of assembling three distinct orders simultaneously by three different staff members. This resulted in a cacophony of questions and a mess of orders, contributing to an atmosphere far removed from El Sombrero's previously friendly vibe.

Moreover, overhearing disparaging remarks about us before we had even left was disheartening. Such behavior is unprofessional and alienating, to say the least. It's a basic expectation that customers be treated with respect and kindness, even in the face of misunderstandings or complaints.

It pains me to write this review, as El Sombrero once held a special place in my heart. However, it seems that with time, instead of maturing like a fine wine, El Sombrero has soured. I hope this feedback serves as a wake-up call. A restaurant's success is not just about the food it serves but also about the hospitality it extends. In its current state, I cannot recommend El Sombrero, and I sincerely hope for a return to the warm and welcoming atmosphere that...