5 /5 Will Ilkow: Quite possibly the best Tex-Mex food Ive ever had!
Visiting friends and family upstate, my cousin brought me to El Sombrero for a quick bite and a couple of cocktails. When you walk in, you are greeted by friendly staff and a warm and inviting atmosphere.
We opted for the bar seating, where Jose, the bartender, would take care of us for the rest of the night. He is amazing!! He made the best spicy margarita Ive ever had (made with Casamigos jalapeno tequila) with the perfect amount of bite where you fall in love with every sip. Our orders were taken quickly and the food came out at the perfect intervals where we were never without something to snack on or drink.
We were expecting to get chips and salsa, but the owner came by and provided us with a super special snack (I forget the name), and a bit of conversation. Luis is the best example of what a business owner should be. He was kind, attentive, and genuinely happy to meet his clients. I informed him that Im visiting from Texas and he took it as a personal challenge to impress me with our meal.
Mission accomplished! I typically order a chicken burrito to test the mettle of Tex-Mex restaurants as a baseline for the rest of the menu. The chicken was tender, juicy, and had the perfect amount of seasoning. My cousin ordered the sampler plate with an amazing variety of meats that were far superior to any Ive had in recent memory. Why? It turns out that Luis is a licensed butcher and he personally chooses every bit of meat that enters his establishment. Not only that, but every bit of sauce, marinade, and dressing is made in-house.
We loved the food so much, that we went back for lunch three days later - the day before I returned to Texas. I had the birria as well as traditional chicken and beef tacos. The birria is stunning and probably the greatest star of our two meals. The ground beef is also miles better than most. This is largely due to Luis choosing a specific cut of beef that he uses to maximize its flavor.
After we were done eating, Luis was also gracious enough to take us for a tour of his restaurant. Like a proud papa he took us through the history of the remodel of the, once-upon-a-time, Dodge Inn and all of the hurdles he went through. The result is a fantastic little hideaway where you can bring your entire family to enjoy a spectacular meal or even have a party. I should note that the fireplace room is a great venue for anyone looking for an event space.
I could go on, but Ill wrap it up by saying this: Just go. You wont be disappointed. Itll be the first place I visit when I go back upstate.